Sambar (Toor Dal)

Sambar is a traditional South Indian dish made with toor dal and a variety of vegetables. It’s a tangy and spicy lentil stew, often served with rice, idli, or dosa.

Ingredients

• 1 cup toor dal (pigeon pea)
• 1 medium carrot, chopped
• 1 medium potato, diced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 small tomato, chopped
• 2 tablespoons tamarind pulp
• 2 tablespoons sambar powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

For Tempering

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 dried red chili
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• Pinch of asafoetida (hing)

How to Make Sambar

Wash and soak toor dal for 30 minutes. Cook the dal in a pressure cooker until soft. In a separate pan, cook the vegetables (carrot, potato, onion, and tomato) until tender. Add the cooked dal, tamarind pulp, sambar powder, turmeric, and salt to the vegetables. Simmer for 10-15 minutes. For tempering, heat oil, add mustard seeds, cumin, red chili, curry leaves, and hing. Pour this tempering over the sambar and mix well. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot.

Nutritional Value (per 100 grams)