Authentic South Indian Udupi Sambar
Tangy lentil and vegetable stew tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and freshly roasted masala
Recipe Overview
Ingredients Checklist
Check off items as you prep your mis-en-place.
Step-by-Step Cooking Method
Step 1
~15 minsPressure cook toor dal with turmeric until mushy, then whisk smooth. In a pot, boil vegetables and shallots in tamarind water until tender.
Step 2
~10 minsAdd cooked dal, Sambar Masala, and salt to the pot. Simmer on medium flame for 10 minutes allowing the spice blend to infuse the vegetables.
Step 3
~5 minsIn a small tadka pan, heat coconut oil, crackle mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, dry red chillies, hing, and curry leaves. Pour over bubbling sambar.
Never Overheat Ground Aromatics
Whole spices (like cumin, mustard, cardamom) thrive in sizzling oil to crackle their essential oil vesicles. Stone-ground powders should be added only after onions/tomatoes are softened, or mixed with a dash of water to avoid scorching the delicate volatile flavour compounds.
