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One Pot Vegetable Sambar

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Ria Pai (@riapai009)
South IndianBreakfastLunchDinnerMain CourseLight MealVegetarianVeganDairy-FreeSpicy

One Pot Vegetable Sambar is a hearty, comforting, and flavorful South Indian dish made with lentils and vegetables, cooked together in a single pot to save time and effort. It’s a wholesome meal rich in proteins and fibers, making it perfect for lunch or dinner. Traditionally, sambar is served with...

Prep Time
10min
Cook Time
15min
Total Time
25min
One Pot Vegetable Sambar recipe

Ingredients

8 Servings
(1 serving = 2 bowls )

One Pot Vegetable Sambar ingredients

  • 2 1/2cup
    Boiled dal
  • 1/2tbsp
    Turmeric powder
  • 500mL
    water
  • 50g
    French beans
  • Few cauliflower florets
  • 2
    potato diced
  • 1
    raw banana diced
  • 1/2cup
    green peas
  • 2
    small brinjals cut into long cubes
  • 1/2
    onion diced
  • 1/2
    tomato diced
  • Few curry leaves
  • 2
    slit green chillies
  • 2piece
    tamarind
  • 1/2tbsp
    Red chilli powder
  • 1tbsp
    sambar powder
  • 1/2tbsp
    salt
  • 1
    jaggery cube
  • Few Coriander leaves

Tempering One Pot Vegetable Sambar

  • 1tbsp
    Coconut oil
  • 1tsp
    Mustard seeds
  • 2
    dry red chilli
  • Few curry leaves
  • 1tsp
    Asafoetida

How to make One Pot Vegetable Sambar

  1. In a cooker , add boiled toor dal , turmeric powder and water. Mix well.

    Step 1.1: In a cooker , add boiled toor dal , turmeric powder and water
    Step 1.2: In a cooker , add boiled toor dal , turmeric powder and water
    Step 1.3: In a cooker , add boiled toor dal , turmeric powder and water

  2. Add all the veggies one by one as mentioned in the ingredients section from french beans - tomato.

    Step 1.1: Add all the veggies one by one as mentioned in the ingredients section from french beans - tomato
    Step 1.2: Add all the veggies one by one as mentioned in the ingredients section from french beans - tomato
    Step 1.3: Add all the veggies one by one as mentioned in the ingredients section from french beans - tomato
    Step 1.4: Add all the veggies one by one as mentioned in the ingredients section from french beans - tomato
    Step 1.5: Add all the veggies one by one as mentioned in the ingredients section from french beans - tomato
    Step 1.6: Add all the veggies one by one as mentioned in the ingredients section from french beans - tomato
    Step 1.7: Add all the veggies one by one as mentioned in the ingredients section from french beans - tomato
    Step 1.8: Add all the veggies one by one as mentioned in the ingredients section from french beans - tomato

  3. Next add green chillies & tamarind pieces.

    Step 1.1: Next add green chillies & tamarind pieces
    Step 1.2: Next add green chillies & tamarind pieces

  4. Add masalas like red chilli powder, sambar powder with salt , a piece of jaggery and coriander leaves . Mix everything together in the cooker.

    Step 1.1: Add masalas like red chilli powder, sambar powder with salt , a piece of jaggery and coriander leaves
    Step 1.2: Add masalas like red chilli powder, sambar powder with salt , a piece of jaggery and coriander leaves
    Step 1.3: Add masalas like red chilli powder, sambar powder with salt , a piece of jaggery and coriander leaves
    Step 1.4: Add masalas like red chilli powder, sambar powder with salt , a piece of jaggery and coriander leaves
    Step 1.5: Add masalas like red chilli powder, sambar powder with salt , a piece of jaggery and coriander leaves
    Step 1.6: Add masalas like red chilli powder, sambar powder with salt , a piece of jaggery and coriander leaves

  5. Close the lid and pressure cook for 1-2 whistles on medium heat if using a traditional pressure cooker. For an Instant Pot, set it to manual or pressure cook mode for about 10 minutes. Once the pressure releases naturally, open the lid and check the consistency. If the sambar is too thick, you can add a little more water to adjust.

    Step 1.1: Close the lid and pressure cook for 1-2 whistles on medium heat if using a traditional pressure cooker
    Step 1.2: Close the lid and pressure cook for 1-2 whistles on medium heat if using a traditional pressure cooker
    Step 1.3: Close the lid and pressure cook for 1-2 whistles on medium heat if using a traditional pressure cooker
    Step 1.4: Close the lid and pressure cook for 1-2 whistles on medium heat if using a traditional pressure cooker

  6. Heat coconut oil add mustard seeds, , dry red chilies, and curry leaves. Let them splutter for a few seconds until aromatic. Add a pinch of asafoetida. Temper the sambar.

    Step 1.1: Heat coconut oil add mustard seeds, , dry red chilies, and curry leaves
    Step 1.2: Heat coconut oil add mustard seeds, , dry red chilies, and curry leaves

  7. Taste and adjust salt or tamarind for tanginess. Serve hot with steamed rice, idli, dosa, or as a soup.

    Step 1.1: Taste and adjust salt or tamarind for tanginess

Tips & Tricks

  1. You can use a variety of vegetables depending on availability—pumpkin, zucchini, or radishes are good alternatives.

  2. Make Sambar a day before consumption.It tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. I usually prepare at night to serve in breakfast the next day as the flavors continue to deepen.

  3. Toor dal (pigeon peas) is traditionally used for sambar, but you can also combine it with moong dal for a smoother texture.

  4. The tamarind adds tang, but to balance this sourness, adding a small piece of jaggery (or sugar) gives the sambar a slightly sweet edge. This enhances the complexity of flavors.

  5. The consistency of sambar should neither be too thick nor too watery. It should be pourable but not soupy.

  6. Let the sambar rest for 15-20 minutes after cooking. This allows the flavors to develop and meld together.

  7. Always add tempering at the end for best aroma . Coconut oil works great for tempering if you prefer a South Indian touch.

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Ria Pai

(@riapai009)

Welcome to my food blog, where passion for cooking meets a love for exploring flavors. Discover easy-to-follow recipes and culinary inspiration from kitchens near and...

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