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Instant pot sambar | Chow chow sambar

August 11, 2021 By Vidya Srinivasan Leave a Comment

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Instant pot sambar, Chow chow sambar, vegetable sambar, south Indian sambar recipe, chayote squash sambhar, sambhar recipe, sambar recipe, Sambar without coconut, south Indian sambar recipe,  instant pot sambhar, IP sambar with step-by-step pictures, and video recipe. Check out the instant pot Sambar recipe in Tamil and the Instant pot Sambar recipe in English. if you like the video pls SUBSCRIBE to my channel.

Instant pot Sambar, sambhar, Sambhar recipe, Sambar without coconut,  south Indian sambar recipe, vegetable sambar recipe is a traditional South Indian style rice accompaniment prepared with a choice of vegetables, lentil,  specially prepared spice (sambar)powder. Instant pot sambhar is super easy to make and no compromise in taste. The detailed recipe with tips and tricks makes it a great beginner-friendly sambar recipe for south Indian cuisine meals.

What is Sambar | Sambhar?

Sambar is one of the most popular traditional south Indian dishes. A good amount of protein, vegetable(s),  blended with flavorful sambhar powder – makes it not only healthy & nutritious but also tastes delicious.  In our home I do three varieties of sambhar one with sambar powder, the second is Arachuvitta sambar with coconut and the third is sambar with moong dal

What tastes best with sambhar?

Sambhar plays a key role in South Indian cuisine. Sambhar goes well with tiffin varieties like idli, dosa, uthappam, etc. It also tastes great with rice,  without sambhar their no special thali/ festive/  wedding lunch / Indian lunch combo

Can I add tamarind and prepare one pot instant pot sambar?

I have tried it many times and I feel dal cooks well and sambar taste and texture turn perfect when tamarind is added after dal is cooked.

Should I always soak toor dal?

Yes, for instant pot sambhar I feel soaking dal gives a perfect sambar consistency.  Wash and soak the dal, use the soaked water for sambar

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3zYDDQHDMSvGFsFp6gDGFDGnZzXpeEEi

How much water should I add while cooking dal?

It depends on the dal you use. I generally use a 1:3 dal: water ratio. I prefer using “Rice mode” as it adjusts the time based on the dal quantity

Can I make one pot pressure cooker sambar?

Yes, follow the same procedure and pressure cook for 3 whistles and simmer for a minute

What variety of dal should I use for sambhar.

For rice accompaniment sambar I generally use toor dal. For tiffin variety, I sometimes use moong dal. Restaurants/hotels use a combination of toor dal and masoor dal

How much Sambar powder should I use?

I prefer using homemade sambhar powder for my sambhar. The amount of sambhar powder might slightly vary based on your spice level. If you want to make it spicy add extra Sambar powder/ Chilli powder. If you are increasing sambhar powder, you might have to proportional increase tamarind accordingly.

Can I skip tomatoes?

Tomatoes go well for squash-based sambhar. If you are skipping tomatoes, increase tamarind accordingly

Can I add salt while cooking dal?

No, always add salt after cooking dal else dal won’t cook properly

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3zYDDQHDMSv6YwMGfM-P-uCkJs8wSEm6

Should I add the ghee tempering?

I generally use coconut oil for tempering and use little ghee towards the end. In our home, we prefer adding ghee while eating. You can use ghee/oil according to your choice

What should be the consistency of the sambhar?

Some like thin sambar while others prefer it thick. I prefer mine on the thicker side.

Kuzhambu recipes in TMF

Tamarind based recipes in TMF

Instant pot recipes in TMF

 

Other Sambar varieties in TMF

Instant pot Sambar recipe

indian Instant pot Sambar
5 from 2 votes
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Ingredients

Soak dal

  • 1/2 cup Toor dal was
  • Water enough to soak

Tamarind extract

  • 7 grams Tamarind
  • 1 + 1/2 cup water

Temper

  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1/8 tsp fenugreek seeds

Saute and cook

  • 1 chayote peeled and cubed
  • 2 Tomatoes 150 grams
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tbsp sambar powder

Sambar

  • Asafoetida generous portion
  • Required salt
  • Coriander leaves and curry leaves few
  • Sugar pinch

Instructions

  • Wash and soak toor dal overnight or at least 1 hour in hot water
  • Soak tamarind in 1 + 1/2 cup of water and extract the juice
  • Turn on IP in “SAUTE” mode and add coconut oil and when IP display, shows “hot”
  • Add mustard seed, fenugreek seeds and let them splutter
  • Furthermore, add chayote and tomatoes; saute for 5 minutes
  • Add turmeric powder, sambar powder give a quick mix
  • Press “cancel”
  • Add toor dal, water, and mix well. Make sure nothing is stuck to the pan
  • Furthermore add few drops of sesame oil
  • Turn on “rice” mode and cook. do natural pressure release
  • Open the IP and mix everything well
  • Add filtered tamarind extract, salt and boil for 10 minute
  • Finally, add Asafoetida, curry leaves, coriander leaves, a pinch of sugar, mix well and cook for 5 minutes. Tasty instant pot sambar is ready

Video

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Notes

  1. I usually add toor dal for Sambhar. You can also combine toor dal + masoor dal
  2. For Instant pot, Sambar always soak dal  as it helps for mushy cooked dal
  3. Adding turmeric powder and sesame oil while cooking dal is optional, but it helps for better cooking
  4. I have used a 1:3 dal: water ratio. Adjust the water according to the dal you use
  5. Alter the cooking time according to the dal you use. let cooker pressure come down naturally
  6. I have used coconut oil, but you can use any oil of your choice
  7. you can also use tamarind paste instead of tamarind 
  8. You can add small onions/ big onion  and prepare Sambar
  9. you can use mixed vegetables. Add extra spice if you are using potatoes
  10. Adjust water according to your desired consistency
  11. Adjust the spice according to your desired taste
  12. Jaggery/ sugar is optional, but it enhances sambar taste
  13. I used coconut oil for tempering and use a dollop of ghee while serving. Instead, you can do the tempering with ghee
  14. for a pressure cooker Sambar follow the same ingredients but cook for  3 whistles and do natural pressure release
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Ingredients

Soak dal

1/2 cup Toor dal, was

Water enough to soak

Tamarind extract

7 grams Tamarind

1 + 1/2 cup water

Temper

1 tbsp coconut oil

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

1/8 tsp fenugreek seeds

Saute and cook

1 chayote, peeled and cubed

2 Tomatoes (150 grams)

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

1 tbsp sambar powder

Sambar

Asafoetida generous portion

Required salt

Coriander leaves and curry leaves few

Sugar pinch

How to make instant pot Sambar with step by step pictures

  • Wash and soak toor dal overnight or at least 1 hour in hot water

 

  • Soak tamarind in 1 + 1/2 cup of water and extract the juice
  • Turn on IP in “SAUTE” mode and add coconut oil and when IP display, shows “hot”

 

  • Add mustard seed, fenugreek seeds and let them splutter

 

  • Furthermore, add chayote and tomatoes; saute for 5 minutes

 

  • Add turmeric powder, sambar powder give a quick mix

 

  • Press “cancel”
  • Add toor dal, water, and mix well. Make sure nothing is stuck to the pan
  • Furthermore add few drops of sesame oil

 

  • Turn on “rice” mode and cook.  do natural pressure release
  • Open the IP and mix everything well

  • Add filtered tamarind extract, salt and boil for 10 minute

  • Finally, add Asafoetida, curry leaves, coriander leaves, a pinch of sugar, mix well and cook for 5 minutes. Tasty instant pot sambar is ready

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