Sambar Dal Recipe

Sambar dal, also known simply as sambar, is a popular South Indian dish that is made with lentils, vegetables, and a unique blend of spices. It is a staple in South Indian cuisine and is often served with rice, idli (steamed rice cakes), dosa (fermented rice and lentil crepes), or vada (fried lentil fritters). Read on to know more about easy sambar dal recipe.

About Sambar Dal Recipe

Sambar dal is a delicious and nutritious dish that showcases the vibrant flavors of South Indian cuisine. It is a wholesome and satisfying meal that is enjoyed by people of all ages.

Time	Difficulty	Serves
30 Minutes	Moderate	2

How To Make Sambar Dal at Home (Step Wise)

Here’s how to make sambar dal in brief, easy steps:-

1. Rinse and cook 1 cup of toor dal with 3 cups of water until soft and mushy in a pressure cooker or on the stovetop.
2. Chop and prepare your choice of vegetables and set them aside.
3. Mix 2 tablespoons of sambar powder with water to form a paste and soak a small lime-sized ball of tamarind in warm water to extract the pulp.
4. Combine the cooked lentils, vegetables, tamarind pulp, salt, and sambar powder paste in a large pot, bring to a boil, and simmer until the vegetables are cooked.
5. In a separate pan, heat oil or ghee, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, and dried red chilies, and fry until the mustard seeds splutter. Pour the tempering into the pot with the cooked dal and vegetables, stir well, garnish with coriander leaves, and serve hot.

Preparation for Sambar Dal Recipe

Here’s what you need to be prepared to make this easy sambar dal recipe:

• Rinse and cook toor dal until soft and mushy.
• Chop and prepare your choice of vegetables.
• Soak tamarind in warm water to extract the pulp.
• Chop fresh coriander leaves.

Ingredients for Sambar Dal Recipe

Let’s look at the ingredients for the easy sambar dal recipe:

• 1 cup toor dal (pigeon peas)
• Assorted vegetables (e.g., shallots, tomatoes, carrots, drumsticks, eggplant, pumpkin)
• 2 tablespoons sambar powder
• Small lime-sized ball of tamarind
• Salt to taste
• Water (for cooking dal and adjusting consistency)
• 2 tablespoons oil or ghee (for tempering)
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• A handful of curry leaves
• 2 dried red chilies
• Fresh coriander leaves (for garnish)

Method/Steps for Cooking Sambar Dal Recipe

Let’s understand how to make sambar dal by following these steps:

Step 1: Rinse and cook toor dal until soft and mushy.

Step 2: Chop vegetables into bite-sized pieces.

Step 3: Mix sambar powder with water to form a paste.

Step 4: Soak tamarind in warm water, and extract the pulp.

Step 5: Cook lentils, vegetables, tamarind pulp, and sambar paste together.

Step 6: Prepare tempering with mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, and dried red chilies.

Step 7: Add tempering to the cooked dal and vegetables.

Step 8: Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

Step 9: Serve hot with rice or South Indian bread.

Any Alternate Way to Make Sambar Dal Recipe

Looking for ways how to make sambar dal interesting? Here, we’ll look at an alternate easy sambar dal recipe that is packed with nutrition and taste.

Step 1: Rinse and cook 1 cup of toor dal until soft and mushy in a pressure cooker or on the stovetop.

Step 2: In a separate pan, heat oil and add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, and dried red chilies for tempering.

Step 3: Add chopped onions, tomatoes, and vegetables of your choice to the pan and sauté until tender.

Step 4: Add the cooked dal to the pan and mix well. Then, add tamarind pulp, sambar powder, salt, and water to adjust the consistency.

Step 5: Let the sambar dal simmer for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to blend. Serve hot with rice or bread of your choice.

Nutritional Value in Sambar Dal Recipe

Here’s an approximate nutritional breakdown for an easy sambar dal recipe:

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	141 kcal
Protein	7.9 grams
Carbohydrates	25.3 grams
Fiber	5.2 grams
Fat	0.6 grams

Pro Tips to Make the Best Sambar Dal Recipe at Home

Here are some pro tips on how to make sambar dal recipe at home:

1. Tamarind Pulp: To extract maximum flavor from tamarind, soak it in warm water for at least 15 minutes. Squeeze and extract the pulp thoroughly, discarding any seeds or fibers.
2. Vegetables: Choose a variety of vegetables to add depth and texture to your sambar dal. Include seasonal vegetables like drumsticks, pumpkin, okra, or eggplant to enhance the flavor profile.
3. Sambar Powder: Use freshly ground or high-quality sambar powder for the best taste. If you have the time, you can even make your own sambar powder by toasting and grinding whole spices like coriander, cumin, fenugreek, and red chilies.
4. Tempering: Pay attention to the tempering or tadka process. Ensure the oil or ghee is adequately heated before adding mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, and dried red chilies. This step adds a burst of flavor to the dish.
5. Consistency: Adjust the consistency of sambar dal based on your preference. If you prefer a thicker consistency, simmer the dal for a longer time to allow it to reduce. Add more water if you prefer a thinner consistency.

Health Benefits of Sambar Dal Recipe

Sambar dal recipe, when prepared using nutritious ingredients and cooked in a healthy manner, can offer several health benefits. Here are some of the health benefits provided by this easy sambar dal recipe:

1. Protein-rich: Sambar dal is a good source of plant-based protein from the toor dal (pigeon peas), which is essential for muscle growth and repair.
2. Nutrient-dense: It contains a variety of vegetables, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber for overall health and digestion. Read more about nutrient-rich foods.
3. Low in fat: Sambar dal is generally low in fat, making it a healthier choice compared to some other traditional Indian dishes. Check out our weight loss plans.
4. Digestive health: The combination of lentils, vegetables, and spices in sambar dal promotes healthy digestion and may help alleviate digestive issues.
5. Balanced flavors: Sambar dal incorporates a blend of spices, such as turmeric, coriander, and cumin, which not only add flavor but also offer potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits to support overall well-being.

Tips to Limit the Calorie in Sambar Dal Recipe

Here are some tips on how to make sambar dal recipe with fewer calories:

Step 1: Use less oil: Reduce the amount of oil or ghee used for tempering. Instead of frying the spices in a generous amount of oil, use a non-stick pan or cooking spray to sauté them with minimal oil.

Step 2: Choose leaner cuts of vegetables: Opt for low-calorie vegetables like onions, tomatoes, green beans, spinach, or bottle gourd. These vegetables provide nutrition while keeping the calorie content lower.

Step 3: Reduce or skip coconut: Coconut is often added to sambar for richness, but it also adds calories. Consider reducing the amount of grated coconut or using desiccated coconut sparingly, or skip it altogether if you prefer.

Step 4: Control portion sizes: Keep an eye on portion sizes to moderate calorie intake. Serve yourself a reasonable portion of sambar dal and pair it with a generous serving of vegetables or a side salad to create a balanced meal.

Step 5: Limit added fats: Be mindful of the quantity of oil or ghee used for tempering. You can also experiment with alternative cooking methods such as steaming or baking the vegetables instead of sautéing them in oil.

FAQs

What is the cooking time for the Sambar Dal recipe?

It takes around 30 minutes to make this easy sambar dal recipe.

What’s Different in the Sambar Dal Recipe by Livofy?

Sambar dal recipes can differ in terms of ingredients, preparation methods, and flavors. Each recipe may have its own unique combination of spices to create delicious and nutritious sambar dal. The complexity and cooking time can vary, allowing you to choose a recipe that fits your schedule. Trying out different recipes will help you discover your preferred version of sambar dal that suits your taste buds and dietary preferences.

Is Sambar Dal healthy?