Mixed Vegetable Sambar Recipe (South Indian Vegetable Sambar)

Ingredients

To cook dhal:
• Toor dhal or split pigeon peas – 1 cup
• Water – 2 cups
• Turmeric – ¼ tsp

For Sambar:
• One or mixed vegetables – 1 cup
• Shallots or small onions – 7 – 8 nos
• Tomato – 1 no
• Methi seeds – ½ tsp
• Curry leaves – 1 spring
• Hing – ½ tsp
• Sambar powder – 1 tsp (store bought)
• Green chilli – 1 no
• Mustard – 1 tsp
• Cumin seeds – 1 tsp
• Tamarind water – ½ cup
• Coriander leaves – 2 tbsp
• Salt, to taste
• Oil

Method

1. To begin with, first cook the dhal with water and turmeric for 4 to 5 whistles. Allow the pressure to release naturally.
2. Once the pressure is released, open the cooker and mash the dhal and keep it aside.
3. In a pan, add oil and once oil is heated add mustard seeds and allow it to splatter.
4. Then add cumin seeds, methi seeds, hing and let them sizzle.
5. Now add green chilli and curry leaves.
6. Now add shallots and saute for few minutes then add in the vegetables and tomato.
7. Mix well and saute for few minutes.
8. Add around 2 cups of water and cover the lid and cook the vegetables till they are nice and soft.
9. Once vegetables are cooked, now add in cooked dhal, tamarind water and salt.
10. Adjust the consistency by adding extra water.
11. Mix well and let it simmer for 7 to 8 mins.
12. Add coriander leaves and mix well.
13. Serve with steam rice, dosa, idly, Pongal, vada, etc.

Tips and variations:
1. We can make sambar with toor dhal, masoor dhal, moong dhal, etc
2. We can choose any vegetables of our choice like carrot, beans, cabbage, radish, potato, brinjal, okra, drumstick,etc.
3. We can use home made sambar powder or store bought. I prefer using sakthi masala sambar powder.