Chennai Style Sambar on upliance.ai

Introduction

Sambar is a staple dish in almost all South Indian homes, celebrated for its unique blend of spices, vegetables, and lentils. While there are many variations of sambar across different states in India, this recipe features the spicy and tangy Chennai-style sambar. Thanks to upliance.ai, India’s first AI cooking companion, making this flavorful dish has never been easier. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, upliance.ai will simplify the cooking process.

Ingredients Needed

• 2 large spoons of ghee
• 1 small spoon of mustard seeds
• 2 dried red chilies
• ½ small spoon of hing (asafoetida)
• 10 curry leaves
• 5 cloves of garlic
• 3 grams of ginger
• 1 green chili
• Small onions (shallots) for sweetness
• 100 grams of brinjal (eggplant)
• 120 grams of tomatoes
• 1 large spoon of sambar powder
• 3 small spoons of salt
• ½ small spoon of turmeric
• ½ small spoon of tamarind paste
• 1 stem of drumstick (cut into eight pieces)
• Pressure cooked dal (you can use leftover dal or prepare it fresh)

Cooking Instructions

1. Sauté the Spices: Start by heating ghee in a pan. Add mustard seeds, dried red chilies, hing, and curry leaves. Sauté until the spices release their aroma.

2. Add Aromatics: Next, add five cloves of garlic, three grams of ginger, and one green chili. Remember to scrape down the sides of the jar to ensure all spices mix well without burning.

3. Add Shallots: Toss in your shallots for that delightful sweetness that complements the dish.

4. Prepare Vegetables: Add the brinjal, tomatoes, sambar powder, salt, turmeric powder, tamarind paste, and the drumstick.

5. Incorporate Dal: Finally, mix in your pressure cooked dal. You can either use leftover dal or prepare it fresh for this dish.

6. Let it Cook: Activate the cooking function on upliance.ai, and let it do its magic while you sit back and relax.

Once cooked, the sambar will fill your kitchen with wonderful aromas, reminiscent of a bustling Chennai kitchen. Serve the sambar hot with idli, dosa, or rice for a fulfilling meal.

With its exciting mix of ingredients and flavors, this Chennai-style sambar will surely transport you straight to South India!

Keywords

• Chennai-style sambar
• South Indian dish
• Spices
• Ghee
• Mustard seeds
• Dal
• Tamarind paste
• Brinjal
• Upliance.ai

FAQ

What is sambar? Sambar is a South Indian lentil-based stew that incorporates vegetables and a distinct blend of spices. It's typically served with rice or traditionally with idli and dosa.

How does Chennai-style sambar differ from other regional sambar? Chennai-style sambar is characterized by its tangy and spicy flavor profile. Other regional variants, like Andhra sambar, tend to be spicier, while Bangalore sambar might include jaggery for sweetness, and Kerala sambar is known for its coconut flavor.

Can I use leftover dal for this recipe? Yes, you can use leftover dal, which makes this recipe convenient and quick! If you don't have leftover dal, you can pressure cook fresh dal as well.

What appliances do I need to cook sambar? For this recipe, you can use a pressure cooker for cooking the dal and a pan for sautéing spices. However, using upliance.ai makes the process even more efficient and hands-free.

What should I serve with sambar? Sambar can be served with rice, idli, dosa, or even as part of a thali meal. It pairs wonderfully with a variety of South Indian preparations.