Quick and Easy Sambhar My Mother's Style

Bring the authentic taste of South India to your table with "Quick and Easy Sambhar My Mother's Style," a hearty, flavorful lentil stew that's ready in no time. This recipe combines tender toor dal, a medley of fresh vegetables, and the bold, tangy notes of tamarind, perfectly balanced with aromatic sambhar powder and traditional tempering spices like mustard seeds, curry leaves, and asafoetida. Designed for busy schedules, it’s prepared in under an hour, yet delivers the deep, comforting flavors of classic homemade sambhar. Whether served over steamed rice, alongside fluffy idlis, or crispy dosas, this dish is a soul-satisfying meal that’s perfect for any day of the week. Garnish with fresh cilantro to elevate its vibrant appeal!

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Toor dal (pigeon peas)
• 2 cups Vegetables (e.g., drumstick, carrots, beans, pumpkin, etc.), chopped
• 2 tablespoons Tamarind paste
• 2 tablespoons Sambhar powder
• 0.5 teaspoons Turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoons Salt
• 4 cups Water
• 1 teaspoons Mustard seeds
• 10 leaves Curry leaves
• 2 whole Dried red chilies
• 0.25 teaspoons Fenugreek seeds
• 0.25 teaspoons Asafoetida
• 2 tablespoons Cooking oil (such as vegetable oil)
• 2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the toor dal thoroughly under cold water and soak for 10 minutes.

Step 2

Add the soaked toor dal, 2 cups of water, and turmeric powder to a pressure cooker. Cook for 3-4 whistles or until the dal is soft and mushy. Set aside.

Step 3

While the dal is cooking, prepare the vegetables by washing and chopping them into bite-sized pieces.

Step 4

In a large pot, add the chopped vegetables, 2 cups of water, tamarind paste, and salt. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the vegetables are tender (about 8-10 minutes).

Step 5

Once the vegetables are cooked, add the sambhar powder and the cooked toor dal. Mix well, and simmer for another 5-7 minutes, ensuring the flavors meld together.

Step 6

In a small pan, heat the cooking oil over medium heat. Add mustard seeds, and once they start to splutter, add curry leaves, dried red chilies, fenugreek seeds, and asafoetida. Sauté for 30 seconds to release the aromas.

Step 7

Pour the tempering mixture into the pot with the sambhar and mix well.

Step 8

Taste and adjust salt, tamarind, or sambhar powder as needed. Garnish with chopped cilantro if desired.

Step 9

Serve hot with steamed rice, idlis, or dosas for a comforting meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1732.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1259.4

Total Fat 35.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 5.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2535.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 196.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 48.4g	0%
Total Sugars 35.1g
Protein 54.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 405.7mg	0%
Iron 15.1mg	0%
Potassium 4439.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 24.1%

Protein: 16.5%

Carbs: 59.3%