Winter Solstice Sambar
This winter solstice sambar is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a cold winter night. The toor dal is cooked in a flavorful broth made with coconut oil, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and fenugreek seeds. The sambar is then simmered with onions and tomatoes until the vegetables are soft and the flavors have meld together.
Sambar is a South Indian dish that is typically made with lentils, vegetables, and a tamarind-based broth. It is a popular dish in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala, and there are many different regional variations of the recipe. This winter solstice sambar is a twist on the traditional dish, using toor dal instead of lentils and adding coconut oil and fenugreek seeds for extra flavor.
Winter Solstice Sambar Winter Solstice Sambar Winter Solstice Sambar Winter Solstice Sambar
Prep time: 30 | Cook time: 20 | Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 cup toor dal
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
  • 1 chopped onion
  • 1 chopped tomato
Instructions
  1. Rinse and sort the toor dal, then soak it in water for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Drain the dal and add it to a pressure cooker with 2 cups of water.
  3. Close the lid and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes, or until the dal is tender.
  4. Heat the coconut oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
  5. Add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and fenugreek seeds and cook until they start to crackle.
  6. Add the onion and cook until softened.
  7. Add the tomato and cook until it is soft and mushy.
  8. Add the cooked dal to the saucepan and stir to combine.
Why It Works
  • The toor dal is cooked in a flavorful broth made with coconut oil, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and fenugreek seeds. This gives the sambar a rich and complex flavor.
  • The sambar is then simmered with onions and tomatoes until the vegetables are soft and the flavors have meld together. This creates a thick and hearty dish that is perfect for a cold winter night.
  • The addition of coconut oil and fenugreek seeds gives this sambar a unique flavor that is sure to please everyone at the table.