Coimbatore Style Drumstick Sambar Recipe
A traditional, flavorful sambar from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, this recipe is a delightful medley of aromatic spices, coconut, and lentils. With the deep flavor of spices like cumin, coriander, and fennel seeds, along with the rich texture from coconut and toor dal, this sambar is a must-try. Often served as a side dish, this hearty and healthy recipe pairs wonderfully with steamed rice for a wholesome meal.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Onion | 1, chopped |
| Drumstick (Moringa) | 1, chopped into 2-inch pieces |
| Tomato | 1, chopped |
| Arhar Dal (Split Toor Dal) | 1 cup, soaked for 10 minutes and cooked |
| Curry Leaves | 2 sprigs |
| Coriander (Dhania) Seeds | 1 tablespoon |
| Cumin Seeds (Jeera) | 1/2 tablespoon |
| Methi Seeds (Fenugreek Seeds) | 1/4 tablespoon |
| Salt | To taste |
| Tamarind Paste | 1 tablespoon |
| Turmeric Powder (Haldi) | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Red Chilli Powder | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Dry Red Chillies | 4, soaked |
| Fresh Coconut (grated) | 1/4 cup |
| Mustard Seeds (Rai/Kadugu) | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Gingelly Oil (Sesame Oil) | For tadka (tempering) |
| Ghee | 2 teaspoons |
Preparation Time
15 minutes
Cooking Time
30 minutes
Instructions
-
Prepare Ingredients:
Begin by prepping all your ingredients. Soak the arhar dal in enough water for about 15 to 20 minutes. Once soaked, drain the water, and pressure cook the dal in 2 cups of water for 4 whistles. Allow the pressure to release naturally after cooking. -
Cook Vegetables:
In a saucepan, add the chopped drumstick, onions, and tomatoes along with sufficient water. Cook on high heat for about 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Set aside once done. For a more flavorful sambar, you can use vegetable stock for grinding the spices. -
Roast and Grind Spices:
Heat a heavy-bottomed pan and add gingelly oil. Once the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds, coriander seeds, fenugreek seeds, asafoetida, dry red chillies, and fresh coconut. Roast these ingredients for about a minute or until they become fragrant. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. You can speed up the cooling process by spreading the roasted mixture on a plate. -
Grind the Masala:
Once cooled, transfer the roasted spices and coconut into a mixer grinder. Add a little bit of water or the stock from the cooked vegetables and grind to a smooth paste. -
Cook the Sambar:
Add the ground masala paste back into the saucepan with the cooked drumstick, onion, and tomato mixture. Now add the tamarind paste and boil the mixture. Stir in the cooked toor dal and add water to adjust the consistency of the sambar. Season with salt and stir well. Let the sambar cook for about 5-7 minutes on medium heat, allowing all the flavors to meld together. -
Prepare the Tadka (Tempering):
In a small kadai or pan, heat some gingelly oil. Once the oil is hot, add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add the curry leaves and sauté for a few seconds on low heat. -
Combine and Finish:
Once the sambar is well-cooked, switch off the heat. Pour the prepared tadka (tempering) over the sambar. Top it off with a generous dollop of ghee and give it a final stir.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Coimbatore Style Drumstick Sambar with Steamed Rice for a comforting and nutritious meal. It also pairs wonderfully with Capsicum Usili, a flavorful vegetable stir-fry, for a complete Tamil Nadu-inspired meal.
This vibrant and rich Coimbatore Style Sambar is a perfect side dish for any meal and will add authentic Tamil Nadu flavors to your dinner table! Enjoy the heartwarming taste of South India with every bite!
