Sambar: Indian Vegetable Stew
Samber is an Indian vegetable stew with tamarind that is typically served with Idlis, Vadas or rice. Here is a simple recipe to try at home.
- Preparation:
- Cooking:
- Total:
- Serves: 4 persons
Ingredients
- 2cups Toor or Tuvar (split yellow pigeon peas)
- 4tablespoons Sambar Masala
- 1cup chopped eggplant (cut into 2"cubes)
- 1cup chopped potato (cut into 1"cubes)
- 10pearl onions, peeled and cored
- 10-12 baby okra
- ½cup pumpkin
- 10-12, 3" long pieces of drumstick (optional)
- Golf ball-sized lump of tamarind
- 3tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)
- 1teaspoon mustard seeds
- 8-10 curry leaves
- 3dry red chilies
- Salt to taste
- Chopped fresh coriander leaves to taste
Instructions
Step 1
Boil the pigeon peas (lentils) and sambar masala with enough water till they are soft. The consistency should be that of a thick soup.Step 2
Soak the tamarind in a small bowl of hot water for 10 minutes. Squeeze well to remove all juice.Step 3
Add this purée to the lentils. Mix well. Add salt to taste.Step 4
Simmer and add the potatoes to the lentils. Cook until the potatoes are half cooked. Now add the other vegetables and optional drumsticks, and cook until done.Step 5
Heat the ghee in a small pan and add the curry leaves, dry red chilies, and mustard seeds, and curry leaves. Fry until the spluttering stops and add to the boiled lentils. Mix well.Step 6
Garnish with chopped green coriander . Serve hot with Idlis , Vadas or plain boiled rice.