This arachu vitta sambar is a lovely take on the popular sambar dish that defines Indian cuisine. It has a variety of spices including, tamarind, coconut, and chilies that give it a serious kick. It is great to eat it winter or summer. It will warm you up when the temperature is cold and help cool you down when the temperature is too hot outside. This sambar is definitely worth your time and should be a part of your cooking repertoire.
Health Benefits
One of the key ingredients to just about any sambhar are the chilies. It’s what gives sambar its signature kick – the component that makes it fun to eat. The chilies aren’t just there for taste though. They have quite a bit of health benefits thanks to their capsaicin content. Capsaicin helps to detox the body and remove impurities. It also helps to thin out mucus membranes which can help to improve your breathing and decongest your nose.
Ingredients
2 tomatoes - chopped
1 cup yellow lentil (tur dal)
1/2 cup of drumsticks
1 onion - chopped
1/2 cup tamarind extract
1/2 cup tamarind extract
salt to taste
1/2 cup bengal gram
6 whole red chillies
3 tbsp coconut - desiccated
1 tsp coriander seeds
1 tsp fenugreek seeds (methi)
oil
1 tsp sambhar powder
1 tsp red chilli powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp fenugreek (methi)
2 1/2 tsp urad dal
few curry leaves
How To Make Aracha Vitta Sambhar
- Boil the yellow dal in a pressure cooker.
- Mash the dal and set aside.
- Heat 1 tsp of oil in a pan.
- Sauté all the dry ingredients for 2-3 mins.
- Grind with water to make a paste.
- Set aside.
- Cook the drumsticks with water and a pinch of turmeric powder.
- Remove from fire when soft.
- Heat 1 tsp of oil in a pan.
- Sauté the onions till they turn golden brown.
- Add the tomato, power ingredients, and ground masala with some water.
- Stir well.
- Add the drumsticks, tur dal and the tamarind extract.
- Mix well.
- Add 2 cups of water.
- Let it cook for 15-20 min at a medium temperature.
- Heat 2 tbsp oil and add all the seasoning ingredients in another pan.
- Let simmer till they begin to crackle.
- Mix these seasoning ingredients with the sambar.
- Serve hot
Trivia
Legumes are believed to have originated in central Asia.