Kadamba Sambar

Kadambam in Tamil means an “assortment”. Sambar is a type of spicy lentil stew that will warm you up on cold days and cool you down on hot days. Kadamba sambar is a lentil-based stew made with an assortment of vegetables. This dish provides an opportunity to use up leftovers vegetables that are very limited in quantity to be used in any other dish.  Try making some next time you find yourself with a lot of extra vegetables but no ideas of what to prepare.

You know what might make carrying this Kadamba Sambar to work more interesting? An insulated tiffin box that can keep it warm and fresh until it is time to eat. Pack the Kadamba Sambar along with warm rice, dosas, idlies, and many other rice-based dishes in your Vaya Tyffyn and enjoy every meal you have away from home.

Health Benefits

Lentils belong to the legume family; they are a rich source of highest plant-based protein. Protein helps repair damaged muscle tissue, making it the perfect food for physically active people, such as athletes. Lentils also help improve digestion and pulmonary health, control diabetes, and aid weight loss due to their low saturated fat content.

An assortment of vegetables fortifies this dish with a myriad vitamins and minerals.

Ingredients

cup toor dal – well cooked and mashed: 1/4

cup mixed vegetables – cubed: 1

cup small onions: 1/2

small tomato: 1

tbsp tamarind extract: 2

tsp sambar powder: 1 1/2

tsp turmeric powder: 1/2

tsp grated jaggery: 1

cup cilantro leaves chopped: 1/4

tsp mustard seeds: 1

curry leaves: 6

tsp oil: 1

salt

tbsp coriander seeds or powder: 2

tbsp channa dal: 2

tsp urad dal: 1/2

tsp methi seeds: 1/2

dried red chilies: 6-8

tsp black peppercorns: 1/2

tbsp grated coconut: 3

How To Make Kadamba Sambar

1. Heat 2 tsp oil in pan.
2. Roast channa dal, coriander seeds, dry red chilies, methi seeds, urad dal, and black peppercorns until aromatic and golden. Set aside to cool and grind the mixture with coconut to a smooth paste.
3. Heat oil in the pan and splutter mustard seeds and curry leaves.
4. Add onions and sauté well for 3-4 minutes.
5. Add cubed tomatoes and sauté for 2 minutes.
6. Add the chopped vegetables and sauté well. Season with salt and let the vegetables sweat.
7. Add turmeric powder, sambar powder, and stir to coat the powders with vegetables.
8. Add tamarind pulp with 3 cups of water. and bring to boil. Simmer and let cook for 10 minutes.
9. Season with more salt.
10. Add the cooked dal and sambar masala that was prepared earlier.
11. Mix well and simmer for few minutes. Add the jaggery and mix well.
12. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add cilantro leaves, serve and enjoy!

Trivia

Most legume flowers have male and female parts on the same flower.