Recipe
Instant Pot Sambar Recipe: Simple & Flavorful
Published: May 8, 2024
Discover a simple and flavorful Instant Pot sambar recipe that's perfect for any meal. Try this delicious and easy-to-make recipe today!
This Instant Pot Sambar is my go-to comfort food. Packed with wholesome veggies and lentils, it's a flavorful, nourishing dish that I love serving with rice or idli. It's simple, quick, and utterly delicious!
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Let me share a secret with you, my absolute favorite comfort food - sambar. This delightful, heart-warming dish is a true taste bud tickler. Imagine a simmering pot of split pigeon peas and mixed veggies, seasoned with a medley of spices and a tang of tamarind. The magic of the Instant Pot takes the hard work out of this traditional Indian classic. Trust me, whether it's with steaming rice or fluffy idlis, you'll find yourself coming back for more!
Ingredients Needed for Delicious Sambar
- Toor dal: Essential for the base of the sambar, provides a creamy texture and a nutty flavor to the dish.
- Mixed vegetables: Adds color, flavor, and nutrients to the sambar, creating a wholesome and balanced dish.
- Onion: Adds a sweet and savory flavor base to the sambar, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
- Tomatoes: Bring a tangy and slightly sweet flavor to the sambar, balancing the other spices and ingredients.
- Green chilies: Add a spicy kick to the sambar, providing heat and depth of flavor to the dish.
- Turmeric powder: Provides a vibrant color to the sambar and adds a warm, earthy flavor to the dish.
- Sambar powder: A blend of spices that gives the sambar its signature flavor profile, adding depth and complexity to the dish.
- Tamarind paste: Adds a tangy and slightly sour taste to the sambar, balancing the sweetness of the vegetables and dal.
- Fresh coriander leaves: Used as a garnish, these leaves add a fresh and herbaceous flavor to the sambar, enhancing its overall taste.
To enhance the flavor of the sambar, try adding a small piece of jaggery while cooking to balance the tanginess of the tamarind and tomatoes.
Essential Tools for Making Instant Pot Sambar
- Instant Pot: Speeds up cooking time and ensures even cooking of dal and vegetables.
- Chopping board: Essential for chopping vegetables like onions, tomatoes, and green chilies for the sambar recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot Sambar
Serves: 4 people
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup toor dal (split pigeon peas)
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, potatoes, beans)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 2 green chilies, slit
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tbsp sambar powder
- Tamarind paste (size of a small lemon)
- Salt to taste
- Water as needed
- Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
Instructions:
- Rinse the toor dal and set aside.
- In the Instant Pot, add the toor dal, mixed vegetables, onion, tomatoes, green chilies, turmeric powder, sambar powder, tamarind paste, salt, and water.
- Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and pressure cook on high for 10 minutes.
- Once done, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then manually release the remaining pressure.
- Open the lid, stir well, and garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
- Serve hot with rice or idli.
Nutritional value:
Per Serving in Calories: 250 kcal | Carbohydrates: 45 g | Protein: 15 g | Total Fat: 2 g | Saturated Fat: 0.5 g | Trans Fat: 0 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5 g | Cholesterol: 0 mg | Sodium: 800 mg | Dietary Fiber: 10 g | Sugar: 5 g | Calcium: 100 mg | Potassium: 600 mg | Iron: 3 mg | Vitamin A: 500 µg | Vitamin C: 30 mg
Tips for Making Sambar Ahead of Time and Freezing
Make Ahead Instructions
- Prepare the sambar as per the recipe.
- Allow it to cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing Instructions
- Let the sambar cool down entirely.
- Transfer to a freezer-safe container, leaving some space for expansion.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
