Friday, March 9, 2012

Mysore Sambar

Mysore Sambar. The front door, or back door, or straight door to the other side of sambal/Indian dal curry. Sambar by far? How can sambar not be a popularity amongst Indians for the matter. In fact, our food life is not complete without sambar and walk into whichever Indian eateries, from the high end to the street stalls, sambar will joyously greet you. Point blank, do I have to actually speak any further about sambar? I don't think so because I think I have giving more than enough hints on sambar being the must have, maybe not every day, but at least once a week (Bitter Gourd Sambar or Plain Sambar)? I too am a cooking hero when sambar is a concern. What do you expect.? Indian husbands and their profound love for sambar? Regardless, each time I make sambar, I try to coin another version and this Mysore Sambar has already be trended in my house (Mor Kuzhambu/Yogurt Curry, Cauliflower Curry, Indian Tofu Curry & Indian Vegetable Curry) and there's no limit to the type of lentil/dal you should or can use. I settled for chana dal. The only dal actually instead of a combination of two or three types for an easy interpretation and not eating up into our time in making, plus instead of the usual vegetables you will see swimming in a sambar, its white radish. Having said that, I can assure you that there's no shortcoming for my version of Mysore Sambar. Truly delightful and like, I can get no satisfaction.  

Ingredients
1 cup chana dal - soak for about 1 hour and simmer with enough water to soften.
1 radish - remove skin and cut into medium size pieces
1 (about 100g) tomato - sliced
5 shallots - sliced thinly
1 inch ginger - sliced into thin stripes
1 tbsp coriander powder
1 tsp chilli flakes
1 tsp turmeric/kunyit powder
2 tbsp fresh coconut - pound/blend to a smooth paste
2 sprigs coriander leaves - chopped
1/2 liter of water
4 tbsp oil
Salt for taste

Method:
In heated oil, fry shallots, ginger, garlic, tomato and radish.
Fry to soften and to lightly brown radish.
Add dhal, coriander powder and turmeric powder.
Pour water, simmer and cook till radish and lentils becomes soft.
Stir in chilli flakes, coconut paste and coriander leaves.
Season with salt.
Simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes.
Remove from heat.


27 comments:

  1. Hello..:) I would love to taste this soup..:) thanks for sharing..:)

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  2. Shallots, ginger, and radish - yum! This soup looks superlative; light, healthy, but packed with flavor. Quite attractive presentation too!

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  3. i love dhal curry..
    everytime when i eat roti canai.. i will ask for more dhal..

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  4. Ginger, lentils, and coconut? Count me in!

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  5. Looks beautiful, and I am intrigued by the radish!
    Isn't it wonderful to hear someone loved your recipe! COngrats!

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  6. The colors are beautiful. It must be delicious.. ~~

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  7. This looks like a really amazing soup bursting with flavour, love the coconut in it.

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  8. I have never seen a soup with radishes, so glad to find this unique recipe. Definitely a root vegetable that is forgotten about. Love the spices in this one too-yum!

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  9. Lentil soup is one of my favorites! This sounds delicious, I love the radish you added. Really is mouth watering! I'll have to try this out.

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  10. looks delicious. love anything that is hot & spicy :)

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  11. Looks like a gorgeous soup! I need to try more lentils!

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  12. This looks divine - I am a masala fiend :D
    Another delicious recipe!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  13. Looks warm and comforting! Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!!!

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  14. The soup is so flavorful with great spice ingredients,I never cook lentil my self,I should try sometime.
    Ridwan

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  15. Yum! This is what I need for this cold weather we're having here.

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  16. Thank you everyone for all the comments, appreciate it very much.

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  17. not a fan of laksa, only maggie laksa and you will see tears coming out from my eyes T_T

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  18. Thank you for sharing wonderful recipe,nava...i luv radish ,it enhance the taste of the curry

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  19. look yummy!!!would like to try...thx for visiting my blog

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  20. Great minds think alike! I made something similar for the blog as well.

    Love hot masala dhal soup -- Looks so delish :)

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  21. Nava, this looks delicious! While I don't cook with them often - I adore lentils!

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  22. interesting........looking just great..nice cliks..........

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  23. Yummy... we prepare moong dal with radish specially in winter...

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  24. Nicely done looks like a bowl of goodies I will enjoy

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