Are you a fan of South Indian cuisine? Do you want to make delicious sambar from scratch but find the process too intimidating? Look no further! In this step-by-step recipe guide, you’ll learn how to make sambar using both Instant Pot and stovetop methods. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, following these instructions will result in a flavorful and aromatic dish that you and your loved ones will enjoy. So, let’s get started and explore the world of South Indian cooking!

Learn How to Make Sambar Using Instant Pot and Stovetop: A Step-by-Step Recipe Guide

Introduction

Sambar is a popular South Indian lentil soup that can be enjoyed with rice, dosa, idli, uttapam, or vada. This vegetarian dish is flavored with tamarind, vegetables, and aromatic spices such as cumin, mustard, and fenugreek. Not only is sambar delicious, but it’s also a healthy and easy-to-make dish that can be enjoyed any time of the day. In this article, we’ll show you how to make sambar using an Instant Pot and stovetop methods, so you can enjoy this South Indian specialty in your own home.

Ingredients

Before we begin, let’s take a look at what ingredients we’ll need to make sambar:

• 1 cup toor dal (split pigeon peas)
• 4 cups of water
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1/2 cup of chopped vegetables (carrots, beans, pumpkin, okra, or eggplant)
• 1 tablespoon tamarind paste or pulp
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
• 2 dried red chilies
• 1 sprig curry leaves

Step-by-Step Method

Instant Pot Method:

1. Start by rinsing the toor dal in cold running water and soaking it for about 10 minutes. Drain the water and put it in the Instant Pot with 4 cups of water.
2. Add the chopped onion, tomato, and vegetables to the pot.
3. Add the tamarind paste, turmeric powder, and salt to the pot and mix well.
4. Close the lid of the Instant Pot and set it to cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
5. After the cooking time is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a skillet. Add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, dried red chilies, and curry leaves. Let it splutter and become fragrant.
7. Open the Instant Pot and stir the cooked sambar. Add the tadka or seasoning mixture and mix well.
8. Your sambar is now ready to be served, garnish with fresh coriander.

Stovetop Method:

1. Rinse the toor dal and soak it in water for 10 minutes.
2. In a heavy-bottomed pot or pressure cooker, add the soaked dal and 4 cups of water.
3. Add chopped onions, tomatoes, and vegetables to the pot and bring it to a boil.
4. Add tamarind paste, turmeric powder, and salt and stir well.
5. Let the sambar cook for around 30-35 minutes on medium heat or until the dal is cooked and vegetables are soft.
6. Heat oil in a skillet, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, dried red chilies, and curry leaves. Let it become fragrant.
7. Turn off the stove, add the seasoning to the sambar and mix well.
8. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve hot with rice, dosa, idli, uttapam, or vada.

Conclusion

Sambar is a healthy, delicious, and easy-to-make South Indian dish. Whether you prefer to use Instant Pot or the stovetop method, it’s a dish that can be enjoyed any time of the day, and with a variety of accompaniments. So give it a try and let us know how it turned out.

FAQs:

1. Can sambar be stored in the fridge and reheated?

• Yes, sambar can be stored in the fridge and reheated for up to 3 days.

2. Can I use other lentils in place of toor dal?

• Yes, you can use other lentils, but the taste and texture may differ.

3. Can I skip adding vegetables to sambar?

• No, vegetables impart flavor and nutrition to the sambar so it is best to include them.

4. Can I use tamarind concentrate instead of tamarind paste or pulp?

• Yes, but use very sparingly as it’s highly concentrated.

5. Are there other recipes available on Ministry of Curry’s blog?

• Yes, the Ministry of Curry offers a variety of Indian regional recipes that are easy-to-make and flavor-packed.