Sambar is a dish common in South India & Sri Lankan Tamil cuisines, made of toor dal. A variant of Sambar called Pappuchaaru (Telugu: ) is more common in Andhra Pradesh. Sambar is a vegetable stew or chowder based on a broth made with tamarind & toor dal, & is very popular in the cooking of southern regions of India especially in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh. Each state in the South prepares it with a typical variation, adapted to its taste & environment. Typical ingredients of the sambar powder include toor dal, roasted lentils, coriander seeds, dried whole red chilli, fenugreek seeds, coriander leaves & curry leaves. Regional variations may include versions with mustard seeds, cumin, black pepper, white pepper, cinnamon, ground coconut or other spices. This powder is prepared by pan roasting the whole spices & grinding them to a rather coarse powder with some salt & is ready to use. TO MAKE A QUICK SAMBAR Dice your chosen vegetables & simmer until tender ( root vegetables are a good choice as a base). Cook your lentils (around 250 to 300 grams for two to three servngs depending how many vegetables you also use) drain & coarsly mash or crush the cooked lentils so they still have bite but are fluffy. Heat some oil in a pan (around two tablesppons) add the cooked & drained lentils & the drained & cooked vegetables & lightly sautee the whole with as much tamarind (Mangosteen or Amchoor are good alternatives) as desired (souring agents) & add two to three heaped teaspoons of this Sambar mix) You may also add Asafoetida & some turmeric at this stage if you wish. Add half a litre of vegetable stock (or just plain water if you wish - or even the water you used to cook the vegetables in if you wish & simmer until the whole is cooked well, thickened somewhat & all the ingredients are tender. If you need to add more stock whilst simmering - do not be afraid to do so - this is a broth after all. Serve with plain boiled rice swimming in the Sambar mix or eat as a broth. Garnish with heaps of freshly chopped coriander leaves. Sambar - World Spice Blends 50 Grams
