Sambhar Recipe | South Indian Sambhar Recipe, is a lentil-based vegetable stew or chowder based on a broth made with tamarind. It is popular in South Indian and Sri Lankan Tamil cuisines. Sambhar is meant to be the base of many south Indian dishes. Sambhar is actually made of Arhar (Tur) dal blended with variety of vegetables and tamarind water. Vegetables used can be carrot, cauliflower, brinjal, pumpkin, peas, etc (vegetable choice is totally dependent on your taste and is optional). It is best served with Idli, Vada, Dosa or Rice.
Learn how to make South Indian Sambhar with step by step photos. Sambar, full of the goodness of toovar dal and assorted blend of vegetables, it is the full in nutritious values and is so versatile that it can be taken with rice, idli, dosa, vada, upma, and just about any South Indian snack. This is simple and basic south Indian sambhar recipe. Vegetable sambhar can be served with many South Indian dishes like idli, dosa, vada, uttapam, appam, pongal etc. It can be served with steamed rice as well.
Steps to Cook Sambhar Recipe | South Indian Sambhar Recipe
Soak tur dal and tamarind separately in water for half an hour. Cut all the vegetables (onion, carrots, cauliflower, brinjal, pumpkin, tomato, beans) in small pieces (1 inch cubes). Keep aside.
Blend ginger and garlic to make smooth paste. Keep aside. Heat oil in a cooker and put mustard seeds and curry leaves in it. Keep stirring for 30 seconds.
Add ginger-garlic paste and cook till it gets golden brown colour. Now add all the chopped vegetable and peas to the cooker and stir continuously.
Season with salt, chili powder, garam masala, turmeric powder and coriander powder and soaked dal. Mix it well.
Let it cook till 1 whistle and then at low flame for 15-20 minutes. Open the cooker after steam evaporates and add tamarind water and water into the cooker. 
Cook for 5 to 7 minutes at high flame. Now serve it hot garnished with fresh curry leaves.
What we need to cook Sambhar Recipe | South Indian Sambhar Recipe
This is a versatile dish that can be made in variety of different ways by experimenting with lots and lots of vegetables of your taste and choice. All you need to cook the Sambhar for your meal are Arhar(Tur)dal, Carrots, Cauliflower, Brinjal, Pumpkin, Peas, Beans, Onion, Tomato, etc with Curry leaves, Tamarind.
