Sambar

3.5
(13)
9 Reviews
3 Photos

Lightly spiced lentils in a tamarind and coconut sauce, tempered with Indian spices. Serve hot with rice. Try it with other vegetables too, such as potato, cauliflower or okra. The ingredients should be available at any Indian market or at specialty stores. The tamarind pulp may be substituted with reconstituted tamarind paste.

Submitted by Nagaram
Updated on July 14, 2022
3
Prep Time:
30 mins
Cook Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 servings
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 1 cup yellow split peas (tuvar dal)

  • 2 cups water

  • ½ cup tamarind pulp

  • ½ cup water

  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced

  • 1 tomato, chopped

  • 1 ½ teaspoons coriander seeds

  • 1 teaspoon yellow lentils (chana dal)

  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened flaked coconut

  • 2 dried red chile peppers

  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil

  • 1 teaspoon mustard seed

  • 1 teaspoon cumin seed

  • ¼ teaspoon asafoetida powder

Directions

  1. Place yellow split peas in a saucepan with 2 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until soft, about 15 minutes. In another saucepan, mix together the tamarind pulp stir in 1/2 cup water to make a watery juice. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the bell pepper and tomato to the tamarind juice, and continue to boil until the vegetables are soft, and the liquid has reduced to almost half.

  2. Meanwhile, grind the coriander seeds, yellow lentils, coconut and chilies to a paste using a mortar and pestle or food processor. Add this paste to the tamarind sauce, then stir in the yellow lentils until everything is well blended. Bring to a boil once again, then remove from the heat and set aside.

  3. Heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat, and add the mustard seed, cumin seed, and asafoetida powder. Once the mustard seeds start to sputter and the mixture is fragrant, remove from heat and stir into sambar. Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

306 Calories
4g Fat
56g Carbs
15g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 306
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 1g 7%
Sodium 10mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 56g 20%
Dietary Fiber 3g 10%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 15g 31%
Vitamin C 25mg 28%
Calcium 38mg 3%
Iron 3mg 19%
Potassium 266mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.