Easy Sambar | No-Grind Sambar

Sambar is a South Indian gravy prepared using toor dal . It is  served as a side dish to Rice, Idli, Dosa, Paniyaram and Utapam. Sambar is one of the comforting and healthy food. There are two ways of making sambar. One involves grinding the spices and time consuming. The second method  with no grinding  and less time consuming is explained below. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Sambar -Easy Version.

Preparation Time:     10 mins

Cook Time :                15 mins

Ready in :                   25 mins
Yields :                        4 Servings 

Ingredients:

Oil	1 tbsp
Mustard	1/4 tsp
Cumin Seeds	1/2 tsp
Curry Leaves	4
Garlic chopped lengthwise	4
Onion or shallots	1/2 cup
Tomato chopped	1/3 Cup
Turmeric Powder	1/4 tsp
Chilli Powder	2 tsp
Coriander Powder	1/2 tsp
Red Gram Dhal / Toor Dhal	1/2 Cup
Tamarind	1/4 lemon size
Salt
Sambar Powder (Optional)	1 tsp
Jaggery / Sugar (Optional)	1/4 tsp
Coriander Leaves	2 stalk

Instructions:

• Wash Red Gram Dhal/Toor Dhal(Thuvaram paruppu) and  soak for 30 minutes. Pressure cook it for 4 or 5 whistles.

• Soak tamarind in hot water for 10 minutes. Squeeze the seeds and fibre to get the tamarind juice. Filter the seeds and fibre. Add tamarind juice to cooked dhal and also add salt, chilli powder, turmeric powder, sambar powder and coriander leaves.

• Heat 1 tbsp of Oil and add mustard, cumin seeds.

• When they splutter, add curry leaves, shallots and Garlic. Fry till onions turn translucent. Add tomato and fry til they turn mushy.

• Add dhal and 1/2 cup water.Mix well. When the sambar boils, add jaggery/ sugar and allow it to cook for 5 mins till Sambar thickens

Easy Sambar

Tips:

• Adding Jaggery/ Sugar is optional.
• For Idli and Dosa side dish, sambar should be little watery, remove  2 mins after sambar boils.
• For mixed vegetable sambar, cook the vegetables separately and add the vegetables before adding dhal.
• For authentic Sambar check the below link          http://www.nithyasnalabagam.com/2013/02/hotel-sambar.html