Sambhar Recipes

Steps:

• In a heatproof bowl, combine the tamarind pulp and 1 cup of boiling water, and let stand for 30 minutes. At the end of this time, squeeze and press the tamarind with your fingers to release as much pulp in the water as possible, then strain, discard the fibrous residue and seeds, and reserve the tamarind water.
• Meanwhile, place the lentils in a deep saucepan, add the 3 cups of water and the turmeric, and bring to the boil over high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer and gently cook, uncovered, until the lentils are just tender, 20 to 30 minutes. If the water evaporates too quickly, add another 1/2 to 1 cup in total.
• While the lentils are cooking, heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a small skillet, and saute the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, sambhar masala, dried red chillies, asafoetida, curry leaves, garlic and coconut, until the coconut becomes a golden brown - take care not to burn. Remove from heat and set aside.
• When the lentils are tender, add the sauteed spice mix, along with the prepared vegetables, tomatoes and the tamarind water. Mix well, cover, and simmer until the vegetables are just tender. This should take 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how small or large you have diced the vegetables. As the tomatoes cook down, they should provide enough fluid to simmer the other vegetables in, but you can add another 1/2 cup water at your discretion.
• Just before serving, heat the extra oil in a small skillet, and saute the sliced garlic and fresh cilantro for 30 seconds. Pour this mixture over the sambhar and mix through gently.
• Serve immediately.

Steps:

• In a large stainless steel pot combine the coconut milk and 3 cups water. Whisk in the tamarind pulp. Over high heat, bring the mixture to a boil, then remove from the heat. Add the saffron and steep for 15 minutes. Strain the mixture and reserve liquid for later.
• Melt the unsalted butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and saute for 5 minutes until soft and just beginning to brown. Add the Thai chiles, Sambhar Spice Mix, ground coriander, ground cumin, curry powder, and turmeric powder. Stir to combine, reduce heat to low and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes to bring out the flavor of the spices. Add the remaining 4 cups water, channa dal, potatoes and tomatoes and cook until tender, but not mushy, about 18 to 20 minutes.
• Add the reserved coconut/tamarind liquid and simmer for 5 minutes. Serve warm and garnish with the cilantro leaves.
• In a heavy skillet, over very low heat, dry roast the channa and urad dahl, stiring constantly, for 5 to 8 minutes. See Cook's Note**. Remove the dal from skillet and set aside to cool.
• Increase the heat to medium high, add the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, black peppercorns, fenugreek seeds and dried chilies to the skillet, stirring constantly. Toast the spices until they release their aroma, about 3 minutes. Grind the dal to a powder in a spice grinder or coffee grinder. Grind the toasted spices to a powder. Combine the dal, ground spices and turmeric powder. Store in a tightly sealed jar.
• Line a steamer with several layers of cheesecloth and fill with the all-purpose flour. Steam for 45 minutes. Spread the steamed flour on a baking sheet to cool. Combine the steamed flour, rice flour, and salt in a large bowl.
• Make a well in the center of the flour and add the hot water. Mix with a spoon until you can gather the dough together into a ball. On a clean surface, knead the dough lightly for 2 to 3 minutes Press the dough through the hopper press onto the thatu. Place 6 filled thatu in the steamer and steam for 5 to 8 minutes. While they are steaming fill the remaining thatu with dough, then steam.

Steps:

• In a large stainless steel pot combine the coconut milk and 3 cups water. Whisk in the tamarind pulp. Over high heat, bring the mixture to a boil, then remove from the heat. Add the saffron and steep for 15 minutes. Strain the mixture and reserve liquid for later.
• Melt the unsalted butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and saute for 5 minutes until soft and just beginning to brown. Add the Thai chiles, Sambhar Spice Mix, ground coriander, ground cumin, curry powder, and turmeric powder. Stir to combine, reduce heat to low and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes to bring out the flavor of the spices. Add the remaining 4 cups water, channa dal, potatoes and tomatoes and cook until tender, but not mushy, about 18 to 20 minutes.
• Add the reserved coconut/tamarind liquid and simmer for 5 minutes. Serve warm and garnish with the cilantro leaves.
• In a heavy skillet, over very low heat, dry roast the channa and urad dahl, stiring constantly, for 5 to 8 minutes. See Cook's Note***. Remove the dal from skillet and set aside to cool.
• Increase the heat to medium high, add the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, black peppercorns, fenugreek seeds and dried chilies to the skillet, stirring constantly. Toast the spices until they release their aroma, about 3 minutes. Grind the dal to a powder in a spice grinder or coffee grinder. Grind the toasted spices to a powder. Combine the dal, ground spices and turmeric powder. Store in a tightly sealed jar.
• Line a steamer with several layers of cheesecloth and fill with the all-purpose flour. Steam for 45 minutes. Spread the steamed flour on a baking sheet to cool. Combine the steamed flour, rice flour, and salt in a large bowl.
• Make a well in the center of the flour and add the hot water. Mix with a spoon until you can gather the dough together into a ball. On a clean surface, knead the dough lightly for 2 to 3 minutes Press the dough through the hopper press onto the thatu. Place 6 filled thatu in the steamer and steam for 5 to 8 minutes. While they are steaming fill the remaining thatu with dough, then steam.

Steps:

• Cook the split yellow pigeon peas(yellow lentils) in a pressure cooker.
• Roast the coriander seeds, the split chickpeas and chillies until the chickpeas start turning brown. Ensure not to over-roast as it will result in a burnt taste.
• Ground the above roasted ingredients into a fine powder. This is fresh Sambhar powder.
• Add water into a wok and add the potatoes, salt and turmeric and set it on medium fire. When potatoes start turning soft, add the onions and the chicken.
• Once the water starts boiling again, add the tamarind concentrate and cook for 10mts. on medium fire.
• Add the Sambhar powder, brown sugar and salt and let it simmer for 15-20mts.
• Add some water to replace the water absorbed by the Sambhar powder. Do not add too much water as it will make the dish very runny. (The consistency should be same as that of a pasta sauce.).
• Add the brown sugar.
• Fry the mustard in oil and when it starts spluttering, add it to the wok.
• Serve with boiled rice, roti or naan (Indian breads).
• Papadam/Papad (roasted or fried) will be a good accompaniment.
• Bless the chef.

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.