🍲🌢️ Sambar

Hearty South Indian lentil stew simmered with vegetables, tamarind, and fragrant sambar powder

Spice Level: 🌢️🌢️
Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 25 mins | Serves: 4–6
Calories (approx): ~140 kcal per serving

πŸ”” Tiffin & Temple Bells

🌿 Introduction

Sambar is the soulful heartbeat of South Indian breakfasts β€” a warm, tangy, spice-layered lentil stew
that ties together idli, dosa, pongal, and vada with deep comfort.
Nourishing, aromatic, and endlessly adaptable, it is the dish that brings the whole tiffin plate to life.

β€œA bowl of tangy warmth β€” the melody every South Indian morning hums.”

Sambar

Photo by Stirred By Spice

πŸ“ Ingredients

For the Lentils

  • 1 cup toor dal

  • ΒΌ tsp turmeric

  • 2 cups water

For the Sambar Base

  • 1 medium onion, sliced

  • 1 tomato, chopped

  • 1–2 green chilies

  • 1–2 cups mixed vegetables (drumstick, carrots, pumpkin, brinjal, potatoes)

  • 1 small lemon-sized tamarind ball soaked in warm water

  • 2–3 tbsp sambar powder

  • Salt to taste

  • 2–3 cups water (adjust for consistency)

For Tempering

  • 1 tbsp coconut oil or ghee

  • 1 tsp mustard seeds

  • 1 tsp urad dal

  • 1–2 dried red chilies

  • 1 sprig curry leaves

  • A pinch of asafoetida (hing)

🍽️ Instructions

  • Cook the Dal – Pressure-cook toor dal with turmeric until soft. Mash and set aside.

  • Build the Base – In a pot, add vegetables, onions, tomatoes, green chilies, and water. Cook until vegetables are tender.

  • Add Tamarind & Spice – Pour in tamarind extract, sambar powder, and salt. Simmer 5–7 minutes.

  • Add Lentils – Mix in the cooked dal. Adjust water for your desired consistency.

  • Prepare Tempering – Heat oil; add mustard, urad dal, red chilies, curry leaves, and hing.

  • Finish – Pour tempering over the sambar. Simmer 2 minutes.

  • Serve Hot – Pair with idli, dosa, pongal, or plain rice.

🍷 Optional Serving Notes

Serve piping hot with idli, dosa, pongal, vada, or steamed rice.

Add a drizzle of ghee for extra richness and aroma.

πŸ’¬ Soulful Note

Sambar carries the warmth of many hands β€” the soaking of dal, the chopping of vegetables, the steaming of idlis β€”

all woven together in a bowl that tastes like community and comfort.

πŸ“š Cook’s Wisdom / FAQs

Cook's Wisdom

Tip: For hotel-style aroma, add a Β½ tsp jaggery.

  • Add vegetables in order of cooking time β€” drumstick and carrots first, brinjal and tomatoes last.

  • Fresh homemade sambar powder elevates flavor dramatically.

  • Avoid boiling too long after tempering; it dulls aroma.

  • Add coriander leaves just before serving for brightness.

πŸ“Š Nutrition (Per Serving β€” Approx.)

  • Calories 140

  • Protein 7g

  • Carbs 20g

  • Fat 3g

  • Fiber 5g

πŸƒπŸŒΆπŸƒ The Bottom Line

Hearty, tangy, and deeply comforting β€” sambar is the anchor of the tiffin table,

bringing balance, spice, and warmth to every bite.

🧑 Meet the Heart Behind the Spice

Maya Shetty – Stirred By Spice Author Photo

Hi, I’m Maya Shetty β€” cook, storyteller, and spice lover.

Through Stirred By Spice, I share recipes that warm both the kitchen and the heart β€” where simple ingredients and warm flavors turn everyday meals into moments of connection.

πŸ’¬ I’d Love to Hear From You!

Your words, memories, and reflections mean the world to me.
Share your thoughts using the form below β€” I read every message.

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