Friday, September 27, 2013

Andhra Sambar

Sambar. Indian dal curry. Do I have to like say anything? Indians and sambar, or dal curry and us Indians? I am actually lost for words. But one thing is certain. I have been making, and making and making, and I have not stopped because if sambar is not one of the dishes in my house at least once a week, my other half-half's food life is not complete. Says it all and pretty much the logic to my sambar story, and I don't think my sambar story will ever stop. Of course, me being like a small time home chef, I try to vary sambar each time I make (Palakura Pappu, Mulligatawny Soup, Bitter Gourd Sambar, Drumstick Sambar & Simple Sambar). More or less, or less or more, for celebrating lentils/dal (Dhal Rice & Mysore Sambar) and thank god for the various types. This Andhra Sambar is the outcome of moong dal/green gram and tempering cumin seeds, mustard seeds and curry leaves in ghee I must say infused an amazing and wonderful aroma (Fish Sambar, Palak Sambar & Tanni Saar).


Ingredients
1 cup moong dal/green gram
10 garlic 
10 shallots
1 tsp turmeric powder 
1/2 carrot - dice
2 green chillies - slice
Tamarind juice - as needed 
Salt for taste

Tempering
2 tbsp ghee
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp mustard seeds
3-4 sprigs curry leaves


Method
Simmer beans with 1/2 liter of water and turmeric till half cooked.
Add carrot, garlic, shallots and chillies.
Continue to simmer to soften carrot. 
Season with tamarind juice and salt.  
Stir and remove from heat.
Quickly fry/temper cumin seeds, mustard seeds and curry leaves in ghee.
Tip into dal gravy/curry and give a good stir. 


34 comments:

  1. We also dont use ghee too much but certain things taste good with ghee only..
    Will show this recipe to my mum
    Keep in touch,
    www.beingbeautifulandpretty.com
    http://instagram.com/beingbeautifulpooja

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  2. wow that looks superb. I agree with you for the fact that ghee isn't bad unless used moderately.....do u know in ancient times vedic surgeons used ghee to do surgery as it was fat and it cured the wound quickly.....

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  3. Love that colorful bowl.My kind of comfort food.Adding coconut milk is new to me,looks tempting

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  4. Lovely recipe! I agree with moderation! Little of everything wont make a difference :) Ghee for little flavor is ok :)

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  5. I love dahl and this one is a fantastic colour.

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  6. Dhal and ghee, I think are a match made in heaven. And possibly my all time favourite. We get ghee only in Indian stores so whenever I visit I definitely stock up on my ghee supply. Cumin and curry leaves are such a wonderful addition. That's a smashing Dhal Curry!

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  7. love the addition of coconut milk.must try

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  8. Love dat comforting bowl... we also use ghee very sparingly... gives a good flavor...

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  9. sambar looks delicious and flavourful...We don't use much Ghee for our cooking,but I like the oily and milkish taste of it... :)

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  10. Feel like having that ney sambar..will make it soon. I remember having mini idlis dipped in ney sambar. It used to taste heavanly...long time since I had it.

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  11. I use ghee to but yes in moderation and this sambar looks delicious :)

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  12. same here, after certain age we have to see what we are putting inside our body. now a days ghee is only use for kids food and sometimes in Indian sweets, that's all very less. just need a steamy rice for this dal. looks delicious and comforting.

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  13. yummy looking dal Nava. love the color and pic.

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  14. Ney sambar with coconut milk that is interesting .I know dal and ghee together tastes awesome.

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  15. I consider ghee a special ingredient and only use it sparingly once in a while. Some dishes just don't taste the same without them. That being said, the dal looks wonderful but I'm a little confused how you got the yellow color with green beans?

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  16. This is one of the comfort food I can eat all the time.. Dal and ghee makes a wonderful combo.. that too I love using shallots in my sambar.. Very tempting.. Today I am going to make sambar..

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  17. Ney sambar with coconut milk, simply awesome, just give a bowl of hot rice I can finish everything in no time, its my dinner time and your dal is just killing me... superb dear...

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  18. Interesting Dal..never made with coconut milk..i adore the the ghee in dal..my mom always use tempering of ghee in dal...loved dal cooked by mom..and this coconut milk version just amazed me!!!!

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  19. I agree, everything is good in moderation. I use ghee in some of my sweet dishes but not all. I don't like the taste of ghee that they sell here. Sometimes when I ma in a mood I make it at home This is a unique sambar but anything with coconut must be yummy.

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  20. Como siempre Navas un plato muy irresistible y reconfortante muy bueno,abrazos.

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  21. Cooking Jar - the yellow color is from dhal, remember its green peas without the skin.

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  22. That looks so beautiful! I feel the same way about ghee. Just got a small tin yesterday and that's going to last for a while. Using a bit of it in dal is something that I like too! Love your presentation!

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  23. dal and ghee is one of my fav comfort foods. love the color of the sambar, looks appealing and delicious.

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  24. dhaal and ghee ..yum yum...i love sambar too.
    thanks for sharing..keep sharing more receipes of vggie food plz..

    my recent one :http://www.indianbeautyzone.com/2013/09/mac-studio-fix-powder-plus-foundation.html

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  25. Hi Nava, look delicious and I might need extra rice. :)) Nice pictures.

    Best regards.

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  26. Dhal and ghee..lovely combo...anything with ghee is my fav...I just need rice to finish off this dal....nice clicks

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  27. This recipe was fantastic!! I made it and is one of my favorites!! Simple yet with an abundance of flavor!!

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  28. Simple and delicious dal. It is my all time favourite. Very tempting. :)

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  29. Very different and a must try recipe for all those who love the ghee flavour!!

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  30. Color looks so inviting..healthy and delicious recipe...

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  31. Hahaha... i always say the same to my hubby too... that i do all the cleaning and cooking at home, so everyone around would be thinking i am the maid... Lovely recipe of daal here

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