Easy Sambar recipe | Tiffin sambar recipe – Sambar is the best combination for dosa, Idli, Kichadi and many south Indian tiffin items. For tiffin, we would need it light, spicy, sour with a pinch of sweet tinge, like the one we get in hotels. Here is my recipe of tiffin sambar. This version has simple steps and ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen
Some of other sambar recipes are here – Hotel style sambar sadham which is a video recipe, Pumpkin sambar recipe where I have explained an insight on sambar making techniques, kerala style varutharacha ulli sambar, Mixed veg podi sambar which is instant version and very easy to prepare. Also the tomato sambar recipe which is like our everyday menu for dosa/idli
Ingredients
- ½ cup toor dal
- ½ cup masoor dal
- 1 large potato, diced
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp mustard seeds
- A sprig of curry leaves
- 10–12 shallots (small onions), sliced
- ½ carrot, diced
- 1 drumstick (cut)
- 1 small lemon‑sized tamarind ball (soaked)
- 1/8 tsp sugar
- 3 tbsp sambar powder
- 1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
- Salt, to taste
- Water as needed
- Oil for tempering
Step‑by‑Step Instructions
1. Cook the Lentils
Wash the toor dal and masoor dal together with a pinch of turmeric. Pressure cook with water until soft. If you’re adding potatoes, cook them with the dahl too.
2. Temper the Spices
In a pan, heat a little oil. Splutter mustard seeds and curry leaves. Once fragrant, continue to the next step.
3. Sauté Veggies
Add the sliced shallots, diced carrot, and drumstick (if using). Saute lightly with a bit of turmeric until the shallots soften.
4. Add Tamarind Water
Soak the tamarind in warm water and strain to get the pulp. Add this tamarind water to the pan and bring it to a boil until it darkens in colour.
5. Season & Spice
Sprinkle a little sugar (balances the sourness), then stir in the sambar powder.
6. Add Cooked Dal
Add the cooked dal mixture to the pot. Mix well and adjust salt and water to reach the consistency you like. Let it simmer so flavours blend and aromas develop.
7. Finish with Coriander & Ghee
Turn off the heat. Stir in chopped coriander leaves and a teaspoon of ghee (optional), then serve hot.
Tips for Best Results
- Adjust the tamarind quantity to your taste.
- You can add beans, brinjal or pumpkin.
- Sambar powder quality: Use a fresh, homemade sambar powder for the best aroma.
FAQs
Q: Can I make this sambar without masoor dal?
Yes. you can use only toor dal, but masoor dal gives that tiffin sambar taste to it.
Q: Why add sugar?
A tiny pinch of sugar balances the flavour while it is optional.
Easy Sambar recipe| Tiffin sambar recipe
Tiffin sambar
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup tur dal
- 1/2 cup masoor dal
- 1 large potato
- 1/4 tsp turmeric
- 1/4 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 spring curry leaves
- 10-12 nos shallots sliced
- 1/2 no carrot diced
- 1 no drumstick sambar cut
- 1 small lemon sized tamarind
- 1/8 tsp sugar
- 3 tbsp sambar powder
- 1 tbsp coriander leaves
Instructions
- Pressure cook Toor dhal , masoor dhal, potato with a pinch of turmeric
- Splutter mustard seeds, curry leaves in oil. Add chopped shallots, turmeric powder, and any other chopped vegetables of your choice.and boiled potatoes
- Meanwhile before starting, soak tamarind in little hot water for a while. Filter it and keep it aside
- Pour the filtered tamarind water into sauteed onion vegetable mixture.
- Close it with a lid and let it boil for a while.until tamarind water gets darker and starts boiling.
- Add pinch of sugar to this. Add three tablespoons of sambar powder.
- Add boiled dhal to it and close the lid so that the aroma does not go away. Add water and salt as required.
- Add chopped coriander leaves and a tsp ghee to it and serve hot.
