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–+ servings

Tiffin Sambar / Restaurant Style Sambar

Jyoti Behrani
Tiffin sambar is a quick and easy restaurant-style sambar, perfect accompaniment to idli, dosa, or vada.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine South Indian
Servings 8
Calories 164 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

INGREDIENTS FOR TIFFIN SAMBAR

  • 1 ½ cup toor dal (split pigeon peas)
  • 4 cups water – for pressure cooking, plus as needed to adjust the consistency
  • ½ cup lauki (bottle gourd) – peeled and cut into small pieces
  • 1 small onion, chopped or sliced
  • 1 small tomato, chopped 
  • 8-10 green beans, chopped
  • 1 small carrot, diced
  • 1-2 chili – green chili, increase or decrease to suit your taste
  • ½ INCH ginger, chopped or grated
  • 2 ½ tablespoons sambar masala powder, homemade or store-bought, adjust to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon  turmeric powder
  • ½ tablespoon tamarind pulp, adjust to taste
  • 1-2 teaspoon jaggery or preferred sweetener, adjust to taste
  • salt to taste

FOR TEMPERING

FOR GARNISH

  • A handful of fresh cilantro

Instructions
 

INSTANT POT TIFFIN SAMBAR

  • Rinse the tuvar dal a few times, or until the water runs clear.
  • Add the rinsed dal into the inner pot of the Instant Pot, and add all the veggies.
  • Next add sambar masala, turmeric powder, and salt to taste. Now add water, and mix well. 
  • Close the Instant pot, vent on sealing position. Select Manual / Pressure cook mode for 15 minutes.
  • Allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes and then release the remaining pressure manually.  
  • Turn ON Sauté mode (more), add tamarind pulp, and mix well.

PREPARE TEMPERING

  • Heat some oil in a pan, add mustard seeds. Allow the seeds to crackle. Reduce the heat to low, add methi seeds, asafetida, whole dry red chili, and curry leaves. Turn OFF the heat. 
  • Pour this tempering over the sambar. Mix well, and bring it to a boil. Turn OFF sauté mode.
  • Garnish with some fresh cilantro and enjoy!

STOVETOP PRESSURE COOKER TIFFIN SAMBAR

  • Follow the recipe as discussed earlier. After the first whistle, reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for 20-25 minutes, or till lentils are mushy and veggies are soft. Follow the rest of the recipe as Instant Pot.

Notes

The veggies should be around 2 cups – lauki, onion, tomato, green beans, carrots.
Please refer to the post for the following: 
  1. Tips For Best Tiffin Sambar
  2. Frequently Asked Questions
  3. Serving Suggestions
  4. How To Store Tiffin Sambar

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Tiffin Sambar / Restaurant Style Sambar
Amount per Serving
Calories
164
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
7
g
11
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Trans Fat
 
0.03
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
4
g
Sodium
 
34
mg
1
%
Potassium
 
78
mg
2
%
Carbohydrates
 
19
g
6
%
Fiber
 
5
g
21
%
Sugar
 
2
g
2
%
Protein
 
6
g
12
%
Vitamin A
 
1147
IU
23
%
Vitamin C
 
3
mg
4
%
Calcium
 
28
mg
3
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Disclaimer

Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

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KEYWORD

restaurant style sambar, tiffin sambar