Monday 16 July 2012

Sambar Without Sambar Powder

Sambar powder is the main ingredient of sambar which gives aroma and good flavor. Then how will sambar without sambar powder taste? Sure this question would really bother your minds. But, truly I have a great answer and a great recipe here. Sambar without sambar powder will taste awesome and with rich aroma and flavor. This recipe will give you a hand when you run out of sambar powder or if you feel like you want a change. Sambar (Lentil stew with vegetables) is the main traditional gravy type recipe of southern India especially Tamil Nadu. This is my Mom's way of making sambar, in which she dumps in a lot of healthy vegetables, so its way more healthy and tasty. Addition of baby corn is another highlight. Also she makes potato recipes (click here for spicy potato side-dish recipes) as sides and instant raw mango pickle (click here for tangy & spicy pickle recipe) and cabbage poriyal (click here and here for recipes) for accompanying this sambar which will make the plate more yummier. I just love that treat and my hubby is also a fan for this type of sambar. For normal type sambar recipe click here. Now lets move on to the recipe. 

INGREDIENTS

(Serves 4-5)
  1. Toor dal/Split pigeon peas - 1 cup 
  2. Pearl onions/Shallots - 1 cup (chopped)
  3. Carrot - 2 (Sliced)
  4. Baby corn - 2 (Sliced) 
  5. Raddish - 2 (Sliced)
  6. Lady's finger - 2 (Chopped lengthwise)
  7. Avarakkai/Broad beans (Hyacinth beans) - 5 (Chopped into 2 inch sized pieces)
  8. Brinjal - 5 to 8 (Cubed)
  9. Garlic pods - 2 
  10. Coriander leaves - A handful
  11. Curry leaves - Few
  12. Tamarind - 1 inch sized ball
  13. Red chilli powder - 2 spoons 
  14. Coriander powder - 3 spoons
  15. Turmeric powder - A pinch
  16. Asafoetida - 1/2 spoon 
  17. Mustard - 1/2 spoon
  18. Cumin seeds - 1/2 spoon + 1/2 spoon
  19. Fenugreek seeds - 1 spoon
  20. Salt - As per taste
  21. Oil - 5 spoons

PREPARATION METHOD

  • Soak tamarind in water for 30 minutes, then extract tamarind water from it (remove the pulp and discard it). Set the tamarind water aside.
  • Meanwhile do the other preparations.
  • For preparation of dal, add the following in a pressure cooker and pressure cook for 10 minutes and set aside.
(Cooked Dal - Preparation)
1. Toor dal - 1 cup
2. Water - 2 cups
3. Pearl onions/Shallots - 2 (peeled and whole) 
4. Garlic pods - 2 (peeled and whole)
5. Turmeric powder - A pinch 
6. Salt - As per taste
(Add a spoon of oil to avoid over spilling through cooker nozzle) 
  • Now in a pressure cooker add oil, after it heats up add mustard seeds, and let it splutter, then add cumin seeds, onions, curry leaves, and coriander leaves and saute for a minute.
  • Then add the dry powders such as red chilli powder, coriander powder, and stir for a minute.
  • Now add all the chopped vegetables and salt and stir well.
  • Add 2 cups of water or until the vegetables sink. 
  • Close the cooker with a lid and pressure cook for 3-4 minutes after first whistle.
  • After the vegetables gets cooked, remove cooker from flame and open the cooker lid after the pressure gets fully released. 
  • Then add the cooked dal and stir well. 
  • Place on flame again, add tamarind water
  • Check for salt content and add salt and water if necessary. 
  • Let it sit on flame for 2 minutes and then remove from flame.
  • Serve!

TIP 1: Add beans, potatoes and any other vegetable of your choice. Dumping a lot of vegetables makes it more healthy and yummy.  

TIP 2: Asafoetida is the basic secret for sambar without sambar powder. It gives the necessary aroma so add atleast 1/2 spoon for the above measurement. 

TIP 3: Add a piece of raw mango to enhance flavor and reduce the usage of tamarind. 


Serve with spicy potato recipe or any spicy side-dishes like cabbage stir fry and enjoy!! I love it with Instant raw mango pickle!! 


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69 comments:

  1. Sambar without sambar powder good one dear

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  2. sounds really good.. adding baby corn is totally new to me.. thanks for sharing it..

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Preethi :) Baby corn really tastes yum in sambar try some day :)

      Delete
  3. so many vegetables wud make it very heavy and sambhar without sambhar

    very interesting divya

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  4. very interesting!!!!sounds really good...
    http://indiantastyfoodrecipes.blogspot.com

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  5. Super comforting bowl of sambhar,yummy.

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  6. Hi Divya Pramil ,

    looks delicious !!!

    and neat presentation :)))

    Keep on Dear...

    www.southindiafoodrecipes.blogspot.in

    ReplyDelete
  7. Replies
    1. Thank you :) Mom's are real geniuses right ??

      Delete
  8. Another great recipe and very healthy too, thangai. Your mom is teaching you only good things :) Hugs to her from me :)

    And kisses for you, as always :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks akka :)Yes my Mom teaches me really good things and I learn a lot from her!!

      Hugs and Kisses :)

      Delete
  9. Very interesting recipe, and baby corn in sambar.. I like that!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Gauri, try adding baby corn nest time it was yummy :)

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  10. without sambar powder is interesting

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  11. A very comforting bowl with full of vegetables. Love it.

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  12. Sounds interesting and inviting....

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  13. Superb Clicks Divya! Recipe is good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Swasthi I had a hard time taking those pics.. It was so cloudy and I didn't have enough light but still I managed to take some snaps..

      Your compliment is really rewarding for the hard work :) Thanks dear!!

      Delete
  14. I too make sambhar without sambhar powder most of the times.
    Love the clicks.
    Do drop in my space sometime.

    Divya's Culinary Journey
    Showcase- FUN IN THE SUN
    Bake along challenge # 4 - Peanut Butter
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    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Divya for the appreciation, its the real reward for a hard work :)

      Delete
  15. Looks very yummy!.. I love this recipe :)

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  16. Sounds Interesting!!!will try it soon...

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Lavanya, try it and please share your feedback with me :)

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  17. Looks delicious and nice recipe

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  18. Never tried this way. Bookmarking dear

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Vimitha do try this am sure you'll like it :)

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  19. Nice sambar...looks yum!

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  20. Most of the time I do sambar in this way....it tastes delicious :)
    Love your presentation...

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    Replies
    1. Yeah Kavi its absolutely delicious right :) Thanks for the appreciation dear :)

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  21. Interesting sambhar recipe..will surly try ...

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Anjana ji :) Do share the feedback too after trying!!

      Delete
  22. Yummy, and I like the menu, sambar, cabbage poriyal,potato chips and mango pickle, nice spread..

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    Replies
    1. Yeah Hema that's a delicious menu my mom makes for us :) Thank you :)

      Delete
  23. It's always wonderful to see something made completely from scratch. Good for you for avoiding the pre-made stuff! Am curious about the mango pickle!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Mary :) Am sure you'd love the mango pickle too!!

      Delete
  24. Mouth-watering sambar divya :)

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  25. Delicious Sambar. Thanks for the recipe.

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  26. We also never use sambar powder in sambar n it always tasted awesome... Urs is same my mom's too...

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    Replies
    1. Yes Akila its tastes good and our Moms always rocks right??

      Delete
  27. My mom too never uses sambar powder for sambar. In fact I learnt that most people use sambar powder only after I started blogging. I still make samabr without sambar powder.

    I like the addition of baby corn and also we never use garlic in sambar. Next time I'm trying this recipe for a change. Bookmarked :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah Anisha my Mom's style is always like this she gets surprised when I say that people use sambar powder!! And next time try adding garlic and baby corn, I hope you'll like it :)

      Delete
  28. Yummy preparation dear..Sambar looks so flavorful!

    Cheers!
    Vani

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  29. baby corn in sambar .. tahts totally new.. also garlic..

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  30. Nice recipe. Looks wonderful and delicious.

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    ReplyDelete
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