World Flavors Cookbook

Sambar

South India's great lentil and vegetable stew — toor dal simmered with tamarind, tomatoes, and a freshly ground sambar powder.

Cuisine: India

Ingredients

• 200g toor dal
• 200g mixed vegetables (drumstick, eggplant, tomato, shallots)
• 3 tbsp tamarind paste
• 2 tbsp sambar powder
• 1 tsp turmeric
• For tadka: 2 tbsp coconut oil, 1 tsp mustard seeds, curry leaves, dried red chilies, pinch asafoetida
• Salt, cilantro

Instructions

1. Cook dal until very soft.
2. Add tamarind paste, sambar powder, turmeric, and vegetables.
3. Simmer 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.
4. Make tadka: heat coconut oil, add mustard seeds (wait for spluttering), curry leaves, chilies, asafoetida.
5. Pour tadka into sambar. Simmer 5 minutes.
6. Adjust salt and consistency. Serve with idli, dosa, or rice.