Sambar is a South Indian lentil and vegetable stew made with pigeon pea lentils, tamarind and a unique spice blend called sambar powder. It is a staple dish in South Indian homes and is equally popular and loved by many. A basic sambar recipe will include lentils, tamarind, sambar powder and a few spices along with one or two types of vegetables. It is a well-known fact that a South Indian meal is never complete without sambar or rasam. It is healthy as well as rich in nutritious protein and other nutrients like vitamins, minerals etc. as it is made from both lentils and vegetables. Sambar served with rice or idli makes a complete healthy meal.
Many of the recipes you make frequently can be divided into premixes that can be stored in multiple quantities for quick and easy cooking. When you want to make your favorite recipe, just combine the stored premix ingredients and finish the recipe quickly. Premix or instant mix is like a boxed mix you would buy at the store, but this one will be made in your own kitchen. It's also similar to the cookie/soup jar gifts that were popular a while ago. You can also gift this homemade premix to your loved ones.
Measure out multiple quantities of premixed ingredients and store the prepared premix with a copy of the recipe so that whenever required you could prepare it easily. Many types of recipes can be mixed ahead, such as cake mix, cookie dough premix, many Indian snacks and chutney recipes, etc. Breakfast premix is perfect for kids away from family, who have to cook themselves, premix is just a lifesaver, and you can enjoy your favorite fresh homemade breakfast in just 30 minutes. When you have the time to do the preparation you might as well do multiple quantities. Later when you have less time, you can enjoy the homemade recipe as the premix will come in handy.
Sambar Premix can make a delicious quick Sambar with dry ready to cook Sambar Mix, useful for travelers, with a bottle of dry and ready to cook samabr mix in it. No need to add dal or tamarind. Just add some veggies of your choice, can be cooked quickly in the microwave too. It is much easier to have a ready-made instant sambar mix at home than to rely on store-bought premix. Making delicious sambar takes time. This instant sambar masala mix is a boon for quick and delicious samabr. It tastes just as good as regular sambar, it's just that there's no hassle and its super quick to make. This is an easy instant sambar premix recipe for travel and hostel.
The dal used in this recipe of sambar premix is toor dal or pigeon pea dal which is commonly used in sambar recipes. However, if you are preparing the sambar recipe with moong dal or lentil dal, you can simply replace the toor dal with it. Secondly, in this instant sambar mix, I didn't add coconut with toor dal, but if you like coconut in your sambar, it can be added. Moreover, it also helps in improving the consistency of sambar compared to dal alone. Finally, once the sambar is ready, it can be turned thickened in consistency. Therefore, you may need to add a little water before microwaving or reheating.
In a heavy bottom frying pan add toor dal, dry roast it over low flame till it turns aromatic. Take it off the flame and keep aside. Let it cool completely.
In the same pan add cooking oil and heat it over low flame.
Add coriander seeds, cumin seeds, chana dal, methi and roast these over low flame till turns aromatic.
Now add dried red chilies, curry leaves, tamarind in these spices and roast these as well over low flame till they turn aromatic as well.
Let these cool completely as well.
Combine these roasted spices with roasted lentils and combine well.
Then transfer all these ingredients to a mixi jar (grinder jar), grind to a fine powder and keep aside.
In the frying pan add cooking oil, mustard seeds, curry leaves, broken dried red chilies and splutter the tempering.
Add the grind spices and lentil mix in the pan along with turmeric, salt and asafetida. Mix well an fry over low flame for 2 minutes.
Instant sambar mix is ready you may store in any airtight jar or zip lock bag for up to 6 months.
______________ Preparing Mix Veg Sambar with Sambar Premix ____________
In a mixing bowl add sambar mix and hot water, mix well and let this mixture rest for 5 minutes.
In a pan add chopped mix vegetables, turmeric, salt and 2 cups of water in it. Give a mix, cover the pan and let the vegetables come to boil then cook for 5 minutes more.
Now add the already prepared sambar powder and water mixture in these cooked vegetables and combine well.
Cover the pan again and let the mixture boil for 5 minutes.
After the time everything will be well cooked and flavor are well absorbed in he vegetables.
Mix veg sambar is ready, take it out in the serving bowl and enjoy with rice, idli or dosa.
