Sambar is widely consumed in the southern parts of India. It is eaten as breakfast, lunch, and dinner alongside other rice-based dishes like dosa and Idli. It is a vegetable stew that has a tangy taste. It includes veggies like peas, eggplant, and capsicums. This stew has also become a part of the nation Burma and it is a huge part of Burmese cuisine. The word sambar comes from the Tamil word chamapram. You can easily learn how to make sambar recipe at home.
About Sambar Recipe
Samabr is also a great comfort food for a lot of people. It is cooked with lentils and vegetables. It is mostly consumed with idli as it absorbs the flavor of the sambar very well. The spices used in a sambar recipe give it a unique flavor and also offer a lot of health benefits. This blog will tell you all you need to know about a sambar recipe and also show you how to make sambar at home.
| Serves | Time | Difficulty |
| 1-2 | 50 mins | Moderate |
Ingredients for Sambar
So now that you know what sambar is, let’s take a look at the ingredients we will be using to make this sambar recipe.
- Tamarind – 1tbsp
- Hot water – 1/3 cup
- Tur dal or arhar dal – 100gm
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 1.75 cups water
- Any Chopped vegetables – 1-1.5 cups
- 1-2 drumsticks
- Pear onions 6-7
- 1 tomato
- Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp
- Red chili powder – 1/2 tsp
- salt as per taste
- Sambar powder 1- 1.5 tbsp
Preperation for Sambar Recipe
If you are just learning how to cook a sambar recipe then there are a few preparations you can do that will save you a lot of time and effort while making this recipe.
1. Make sure to wash the dal you are using in a pressure cooker or a pot before making the easy sambar recipe. Make sure they are soft.
2. Rinse all the veggies and scrape the drumsticks and rinse them and chop them into small pieces and rinse them in water.
3. Chop the tomatoes and okra into small pieces as well and keep them aside.
Learning how to make sambar is great because it is a really nutritious recipe that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. Also, check out these 20 Super Tasty and Easy Indian Evening Snacks
How To Make Instant Samabar at Home
If you love sambar then you can make it instantly at home. It’s delicious and nutritious and the best part, it does not take too much time to cook. You can make this recipe in an instant pot.
Step 1: First select the saute mode in an instant pot and add some oil to it. Then add all the tempering ingredients
Step 2: When you see that the mustard seeds have started to splutter add some chopped onions and saute for about 2 minutes.
Step 3: Now add some chopped tomatoes and sambar powder and saute for another 2 minutes.
Step 4: add all the veggies alongside the toor dal in the instant pot and pressure cook for about 8 minutes at high pressure with the vent in a sealing position.
Step 5: When the pot starts to beep let the pressure release naturally and then add some tampering paste and stir well
Step 6: You can garnish with cilantro and your easy sambar recipe is now ready to eat.
Method/Steps to Cook Sambar
If you want to learn how to make sambar recipe in the traditional way then you are at the right place. Just follow the steps below for an amazing sambar recipe.
Step 1: To make the tamarind pulp, soak the tamarind in hot water for about 20-30 minutes
Step 2: Once it becomes soft then squeeze the tamarind in the water and then strain it. Keep the tamarind pulp and discard the rest
Step 3: Now we have to cook the lentils and to do so rinse the dal in water a couple of times.
Step 4: Drain all the water and add it to a pressure cooker also add 1/4tsp turmeric powder
Step 5: Now add 1.5- 1.75 cups of water and mix well. Now cover the pressure cooker and cook the dal for about 7-8 whistles
Step 6: Once all the whistles are done, open the pressure cooker and check the dal, it should be mushy and cooked properly.
Step 7: Mash the dal with a spoon, cover it, and keep it aside
Step 8: The next part will be to cook the vegetables, take some vegetables in a pan and also add onions and 1 medium-sized tomato
Step 9: Now add a bit of turmeric powder and salt per taste and then add about 2 cups of water.
Step 10: Now keep the pan on the stove and cook the vegetables on medium flame make sure to check them in between to ensure they are cooking properly or not. Make sure to not overcook them.
Step 11: To make the sambar, add tamarind pulp and 1 – 1.5 cups of tablespoons of sambar powder and mix well.
Step 12: Add the mashed dal you kept aside earlier and mix everything well.
Step 13: Let it simmer on medium-low heat until you see the sambar coming to a boil.
Step 14: When you see a frothy layer on top, this means the sambar has begun to boil. Switch off the heat and keep it aside
Step 15: The next thing would be to temper the ingredients and to do so take a pan and add 2 tbsp of oil and 1/2 tsp mustard seeds.
Step 16: When the mustard seeds start to crackle add 1-2 dry red chilies and then immediately add 10-2 curry leaves, 5-6 methi seeds, and 2 pinches of hing.
Step 17: Fry them until the red chilies start o change color and then immediately add this tempering mixture to the sambar.
Step 18: Cover the pan and 4-5 minutes, this will help the flavors to get absorbed in the sambar.
Step 19: Your sambar recipe is ready! You can garnish it with some coriander leaves if you want.
Nutritional value in Sambar
It is really important to know the nutritional value of the food you are eating because it can help you to make smarter eating choices. Given below is the nutritional information of a Sambar Recipe.
| Sambar Recipe | ||
| Serving size | 1 Bowl (506g) | |
| Calories | 260 | |
| Fat | 1.3g | |
| Carbs | 53g | |
| Protein | 14g | |
Pro Tips To Make The Best Sambar at Home
If you have just learned how to make sambar then these tips will help you make your recipe a lot better.
1. Use Good Sambar Powder
If you want to make this recipe taste great then it is really essential to use a good quality sambar powder. Make sure to check the expiry date of the sambar powder you are using in this easy sambar recipe.
2. Use Mixed Veggies
Sambar tastes great when there are a lot of veggies in it. Therefore, make sure to use various vegetables in your easy sambar recipe. This will give it a unique flavor and also make it more nutritious.
3. Use Good Quality Lentils
Lentils are a major part of the sambar recipe so make sure to use fresh dal in this sambar recipe. Fresh dal not only tastes great but it also cooks a lot faster. If you have just learned how to make sambar then always try to use fresh ingredients because they take less time to cook.
Health Benefits of Sambar
Sambar for sure is really delicious and it also has a lot of health benefits. You can learn how to make sambar and consume it once for various health benefits.
1. Protein
Sambar is made out of lentils which is a great source of protein for vegetarians. Our body requires protein for the formation and repair of muscles. Knowing how to make a sambar recipe and consuming it once in a while can fulfill the protein requirement of the body. Did you know How much Protein is needed per day – Know you Protein Intake
2. Vitamins and Minerals
The vegetables used in the sambar recipe are full of essential vitamins and minerals. Vegetables like onions and tomatoes contain Vitamin C which is necessary for the absorption of Iron in the body. Here are some Sources of Vitamins In Keto
3. Fiber
Lentils and vegetables used in an easy sambar recipe are full of fiber. If you want to lose weight then fiber should be an important part of your diet because they make you feel fuller for longer reducing your appetite. Fiber also helps in better digestion and blood sugar regulation. By learning how to make a sambar recipe and consuming it you can get good amounts of fiber.
Tips to Limit The Calorie in Sambar
A lot of people who know how to make sambar may add unnecessary ingredients to the recipe which may increase its overall calories. Here are some tips which will help you to reduce the calories in a sambar recipe.
1. Use Less Oil
The majority of the oils are really high in calories and using large amounts of them in a sambar recipe can increase its calories. Make sure to use healthy oils such as olive oil to make this sambar recipe. Also, refrain from using butter as it is really calorie dense and not good for the body.
2. Use More Veggies
Veggies as we all know are filled with fiber which is really crucial for weight loss. The more veggies you add in a sambar recipe the more fuller you will feel after consuming it. This will reduce your portion size resulting in lower calorie intake. If you are on a weight loss journey then it’s important to know how to make sambar low in calories.
3. Avoid Using Sugary Sauces
Make sure to avoid using sugary sauces in your easy sambar recipe. These sauces may taste good but are really high in calories due to their high sugar content. Use homemade sauces or chutneys instead.
FAQ’s
What are some other dishes I can make with Sambar?
Sambar is delicious and can be used to make a variety of recipes as well such as Tamil Nadu Style Vengaya Sambar, Coimbatore Sambar, Tamil Nadu Style Pala Kottai, and more.
What’s different in the Sambar Recipe by Livofy?
Livify tells you how to make sambar in a healthy way which can be added to your diet to achieve your fitness goals.
What is the cooking time for Sambar?
A sambar recipe takes about 50 minutes to cook. However, your cooking time may vary according to the ingredients you use in the recipe.
Is Sambar healthy?
A healthy sambar recipe can benefit the body in a variety of ways. Sambar contains protein and fiber which is essential for weight loss. It also has various vitamins and minerals present in the veggies.
What is the right time to have Sambar?
You can have sambar at any time of the day. It is usually enjoyed as breakfast and lunch.
Are there any side effects of eating Sambar?
Excess consumption of any food can have side effects. If you overconsume sambar you may experience gas, acidity, and acid reflux.
How many calories does Sambar have?
Consuming 1 bowl of sambar has about 260 calories. It also has 14g of protein and 53g of carbs.
How to make sambar more flavourful?
To make your sambar recipe more flavourful you can add some premade masalas of your choice.
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