When it comes to Sambar, we always prefer homemade sambhar powder. In Andhra sambar is not regularly made. But after parents have settled in Madras, Amma has been making these regularly at home. She said she has arrived at this proportion after many trials to suit our taste.
We normally get the whole spices and then get it ground fresh and store it for about 2 months. Sambar is something that comes to the rescue on a sunny day or rainy day too! When we don't' know what to prepare for lunch, Sambar is always there. And it's so healthy too, as we try to add as many vegetables in it.
Amma's sambar is well known for its taste and consistency. Though this is a simple recipe, getting it correct matters a lot. My in-laws love this recipe and Amma always sends them fresh ground Sambar podi, whenever they visit us. Still, sambar for different accompaniment varies. When we make sambar for idli, it's different from how we make for rice. Though the method is different, the sambar powder is the same!
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Ingredients
For 4 members, 20 times, this can stay for 2 months.
250 gms Whole Coriander Seeds / Dhania / Malli
250 gm Round Dry Red Chillies
25 gms Tur Dal
20 gms Bengal Gram
10 gms Whole Peppercorns
10 gms Cumin Seeds / Jeerakam
5 gms Fenugreek Seeds / Venthaiyam
Sambar powder by sun-drying
Instructions
Sun dry all the ingredients and grind to a smooth powder!
This method keeps the powder good for 2 months.
Sambar Powder by Roasting Method
The homemade Sambar powder can be made by even roasting each ingredient separately and then grinding together to a smooth powder.
The sambar powder made this way will stay for about 15 days. So for a change in taste, we at times make this way fresh and prepare the sambar.
We don't add Turmeric stalk and Asafoetida to the sambar powder as we add them to the tur dal when it's cooked.
Sambar powder can also be used to make exciting roasts!
Check out my different Sambars made with this sambhar powder!
This is part of my series on Essentials for Basic Indian Cooking! Check out my other posts in this series!.
Recipe
Sambhar Powder ~ Classic Home Made Recipe!
Ingredients
- 250 gms Whole Coriander Seeds / Dhania / Malli
- 250 gm Dry Red Chillies Round
- 25 gms Toor Dal
- 20 gms Bengal Gram
- 10 gms Whole Peppercorns
- 10 gms Cumin Seeds / Jeerakam
- 5 gms Fenugreek Seeds / Venthaiyam
- Sambar Powder by sun-drying
Instructions
- Sun dry all the ingredients and grind to a smooth powder!
- This method keeps the powder good for 2 months.
Sambar Powder by Roasting Method
- The homemade Sambar powder can be made by even roasting each ingredient separately and then grinding together to a smooth powder.
- The sambar powder made this way will stay for about 15 days. So for a change in taste, we at times make this way fresh and prepare the sambar.
- We don't add Turmeric stalk and Asafoetida to the sambar powder as we add them to the tur dal when it's cooked.
- Sambar powder can also be used to make exciting roasts!
Homecooked says
Wow...u make sambhar powder at home! The recipe looks great.
kamala says
ya nothing beat our home made sambhar powder valli.I too make only at home.Amma has the proportions like yours but grandma makes it little different.I could smell the aroma!!
lakshmi says
I will defintely make Pizza for you. Guess what, I am posting everyday too for this Recipe Marathon 🙂
Hetal says
looks gr8....will definately make this at home.
Uma says
mmm. home made sambar powder! I can smell it from the picture. I also make sambar powder at home, but I don't add the dals and the peppercorns to the recipe. I add these only to the rasam powder.
Siri says
Love the home made sambhar powder Srii, I made ur Okra Sambhar and posted on my blog.. Hope u have seen it.. It tasted yumm..:D
Siri
DK says
I make sambar powder at home too...amma's recipe who else! I esp love when after u grind everything , the fresh smell thats wafts -be it for sambar/rasam , thats simply tooo good!. Good one Valli
Arundathi says
we make the sambar powder at home too, and i love it. but recently i had a fantastic sambar made with Aachi Sambar Powder. It really was delicious. So when you don't have time to make your own, this is a great option!
Cham says
Nothing could be compared to the homemade powder..
Swati Raman Garg says
i always get sambhar pwd from my aunts or market.. ur color looks so frsh n good.. u rock buddy
i had a chotu lazy entry today
vb says
I also make sambar powder and I put it on so many things. I love it on eggs, on potatoes, on grilled cheese too!
Madhavi says
Thanxxxx for this recipe, looks great!!!
satya says
As you say, sambhar makes occasional visits and hence made with freshly ground powder....I add a tiny bit of cinnamon and a clove to enhance the flavour..!
Sagari says
nice recipe srivalli
ranji says
even i make sambhar pdr at home....so much better than store bought...we can adjust the flavor in the pdr according to our taste...will try urs next time..
Asha says
LOVE it, will be making it ASAP!:))
Srivalli says
Hc, yeah Amma has always been, so following her recipe ...thanks..it tastes great too!
kamala, agreed..maybe you can share your grandma's recipe too!
lakshmi, that was a lovely pizza..great to have in that!
Hetal, thank you..do try..and let me know!
Uma, oh thats nice to know..but try with sambar next time..it will be great!
Siri, oh so sweet..glad you enjoyed it!
DK, thank you dear!
Anu, Oh is it..thanks..will surely try it when its not possible to grind our own!
Cham, yep..its simply the best!
Swati, heheh...thats so nice..but maybe I can convince you to try this out!
vb, thanks for dropping by..thats a cool idea..will try it out sometime!
Madhavi, you are welcome..do try and let me know!
satya, glad to know!...and thats really exotic sambar!..:)
Sagari, thank you
Asha, thank you..do try and let me know!