Awesomesambhar Recipes

AWESOME SAMBHAR

Steps:

• Combine the lentils, water and carrots in a large pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to med/low and partially cover, letting it simmer for 20 minutes.
• (If you're going to cook basmati rice, start it now.) Add the potatoes, and cook for 15-20 minutes more, till the potatoes are soft. You may need to add an additional 1/2-1 cup of water if you find it getting too thick.
• Meanwhile, in a small frying pan heat the olive oil (over med/high)and stir in the mustard seeds. Stir for a minute, till they start to pop. Reduce heat. Stir in the other spices and saute for 1 minute. Set aside.
• When the potatoes and lentils are fully cooked, stir in the spice mixture, salt and lemon juice. Serve immediately. (With chapatis or over rice; steamed collards or salad).

SAMBAR

Steps:

• Place the lentils in a large pan with 400ml water. Add turmeric and tamarind and boil for 25-30 mins until very soft.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying pan and gently fry the shallots for 8-10 mins. When softened, add the spices, curry leaves, chillies and a good pinch of salt. Cook for another 2 mins, until fragrant.
• Boil another pan of salted water and cook the beans for 4 mins until tender, then drain well.
• Once the lentils are cooked, add the shallot spice mix and the beans, stir well and add more seasoning if necessary.

SAMBAR

Steps:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.