Karnataka Style Sambar Recipe (South Indian)

Ingredients

For Dal

• 1 cup Toor dal (pigeon pea lentils)

• 2½ cups Water

• ¼ tsp Turmeric powder

• Salt to taste

Vegetables (Any Mix)

• 1 Drumstick (moringa)

• 1 Carrot (chopped)

• 1 Potato (optional)

• ½ cup Brinjal (eggplant)

• ½ cup Pumpkin or beans

Tamarind Mix

• 1 small lemon-sized Tamarind

• 1 cup warm water

Sambar Masala

• 2–3 tbsp Karnataka style sambar powder

• 1 tsp Jaggery (for slight sweetness)

For Tempering (Tadka)

• 2 tbsp Oil or ghee

• 1 tsp Mustard seeds

• 1 tsp Cumin seeds

• 2 Dry red chilies

• 8–10 Curry leaves

• 1 pinch Hing (asafoetida)

Karnataka Style Sambar

Cook the Dal

1. Wash toor dal well

2. Pressure cook with:

   • Water

   • Turmeric

   • Salt

3. Cook for 4–5 whistles

4. Mash dal and keep aside

Prepare Tamarind Water

1. Soak tamarind in warm water for 10 minutes

2. Squeeze and extract juice

3. Keep tamarind water ready

Cook Vegetables

1. In a pot add chopped vegetables

2. Add water and boil until vegetables become soft

Add Tamarind & Masala

1. Add tamarind juice to cooked vegetables

2. Add:

   • Sambar powder

   • Salt

   • Jaggery

3. Boil for 8–10 minutes

Add Cooked Dal

1. Add mashed dal into the vegetable mixture

2. Mix well

3. Add water if needed for consistency

4. Simmer for 5–7 minutes

Tempering (Tadka)

1. Heat oil/ghee in a small pan

2. Add mustard seeds (let them crackle)

3. Add cumin seeds, dry red chilies

4. Add curry leaves + hing

5. Pour this tempering into the sambar

Mix well.

Serving Suggestions

Serve hot Karnataka sambar with:

• Idli

• Dosa

• Rice

• Vada

Tips for Best Karnataka Sambar

✅ Use jaggery for authentic Karnataka taste
✅ Fresh curry leaves enhance flavor
✅ Add coconut paste for richer taste (optional)