How To Make Sambar Without Sambar Powder For Rice, Idli, Dosa – How To Make Easy Sambar Without Sambar Masala

Easy, Healthy & Delicious Sambar Recipe Without Sambar Powder – Easy Sambar Without Sambar Powder In Pressure Cooker

You can make sambar without sambar powder if you have the spices that you usually use for Indian cooking. The spices needed are turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, fenugreek powder, asafoetiida (sometimes I skip asafoetida).

Actually, coriander powder is the most important spice for sambar recipes without sambar powder. There maybe other ways to prepare sambar without sambar powder, but this is how I always make it without the sambar powder or sambar masala and it turns out yummy.

In case you wish to buy sambar powder online, you can buy sambar powder here

You can use your favorite vegetables, tamarind extract and the above spices and make the sambar without sambar powder and add the seasoning and garnish with cilantro leaves if you like. Even tamarind extract can be skipped if you are using at least 3 to 4 fresh tomatoes which will add enough sourness to the sambar.

See here recipes for making instant sambar powder

I mostly add all these spices along with a couple of spoons of sambar powder which will make it sambar powder. But if I don’t have sambar powder, I make the sambar without sambar powder using the above mentioned spices alone and it always turns out tasty and good. (Adding sambar powder is a bonus as it makes the dish more flavorful, but it is not necessary if you have the above mentioned spices at your home). I sometimes even skipped fenugreek powder (although I don’t recommend it) and it turned out fine.

Adding fenugreek powder makes it more healthy and flavorful and it is viewed as a necessary ingredient for sambar, so try to add a pinch of fenugreek powder if possible. However, you may skip it too if you don’t have it. The spices I really want to add to the sambar if I don’t have sambar powder are turmeric powder, red chili powder and coriander powder.

And we add a good amount of coriander powder, ( about 4 spoons for 2 cups of dal) but we add only a little of other spices. So if you have coriander powder and little turmeric and red chili powder you can easily make sambar without sambar powder.

See collection of easy sambar recipes for vegetarian lunch or dinner or See here how to make simple sambar without vegetables

So here is how you can make sambar without sambar powder following this simple sambar recipe without sambar powder.

Sambar Recipe Without Sambar Powder

Ingredients to make sambar without sambar powder

• toor dal (yellow pigeon peas) 1.5 cups
• cut vegetables 2 cups
• tamarind paste 1 tablespoon
• water 5 cups
• turmeric powder 1 teaspoon
• red chili powder 1 teaspoon
• coriander powder 4 tablespoons ( I recommend buying coriander powder in bulk if you frequently make sambar without sambar powder)
• fenugreek powder a pinch
• asafoetida  a pinch (optional)
• salt as required

Seasoning

• oil 1 tablespoon
• mustard seeds 1 teaspoon
• red chilies 4 to 5
• curry leaves a few

Instructions to make easy sambar without sambar powder/sambar masala in pressure cooker

• Transfer the cut vegetables to the pressure cooker.
• Wash the dal (yellow pigeon peas) to the pressure cooker.
• Add the salt and all spices – mix well.
• Add the water and mix well.
• Close the pressure cooker with the lid. Make sure you put the safety valve and follow all directions mentioned in the manual of the pressure cooker.
• Cook for about 10 minutes or until 3 whistles have come.
• Switch off the pressure cooker after 10 minutes and wait for it to cool down.
• Meanwhile make tamarind extract by dissolving the tamarind paste in half a cup of water for about 10 minutes. Once the tamarind is dissolved, you can filter the tamarind extract and keep it aside. (you can skip using tamarind if you are using at least 3 tomatoes in your vegetables).
• Once the pressure cooker is cooled, you can open the cooker and see if the lentils and vegetables are cooked well and are soft enough.
• Add the tamarind extract to the cooker, mix well and heat for another 1 to 2 minutes stirring occasionally. You shouldn’t close the cooker at this time, just keep it open and cook for 2 minutes.
• Now your sambar is ready with the blended dal, vegetables, spices and tamarind extract.The only step remaining is to make the seasoning which we will do now.
• Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds.
• When the mustard seeds splutter, add red chilies and curry leaves fry for a few seconds.
• Pour this seasoning on the sambar and gently mix the contents.
• Delicious and simple sambar without sambar powder is ready to serve!

You can serve this sambar with rice, dosa or idli for vegetarian lunch or dinner.

Hope you found this post on sambar without sambar powder helpful!