Onam Special Kerala Sambhar | Sadhya Sambar | Authentic Sambhar Masala
Onam Special Kerala Sambhar, also known as Sadhya Sambar, is a flavorful South Indian lentil stew made with a unique blend of vegetables, Toor dal, and authentic sambhar masala. This aromatic dish is an essential part of the traditional Onam Sadhya feast, offering a perfect balance of tangy, spicy, and savory flavors. Enhanced with coconut and tamarind, it pairs beautifully with steamed rice and other festive accompaniments.
Ingredients
For Sambar 4 cups
- Toor Dal (तूर दाल) – ½ cup/135 gms
- Water (पानी) – 2½ cups
- Green Chillies (हरि मिर्च) – 2 nos
- Turmeric (हल्दी) – ½ tsp
- Coconut Oil (नारियल तेल) – 1 tbsp
- Water (पानी) – 2 cups
For Sambhar Masala
- Chana Dal (चना दाल) – 2 tbsp/ 25 gms
- Urad Dal (उड़द दाल) – 1 tbsp/ 15 gms
- Coriander Seeds (धनिया बीज) – 2 tbsp/ 20 gms
- Cumin (जीरा) – 1tbsp/ 12 gms
- Black Pepper (काली मिर्च) – ½ tbsp/ 6 gms
- Methi Seeds (मेथी दान) – 1 tsp/ 4 gms
- Dry Red Chilli, medium sized (सूखी लाल मिर्च) – 10-12 nos/10 gms
- Curry leaves, optional (करी पत्ता) – a sprig
- Asafoetida (हींग) – ½ tsp
For Veggies
- Drumsticks, long (सहजन) – 1 no
- Carrot, medium (गाजर) – 1 no
- Potato, medium (आलू) – 1 no
- Ash gourd, diced (पेठा) – ½ cup
- Pumpkin, diced (कद्दू) – ½ cup
- Salt (नमक) – to taste
- Sambhar Masala (सांभर मसाला) – 4 tsp
- Tamarind Water (इमली पानी) – ¼ cup
- Tomatoes, medium (टमाटर) – 1 no
- Okra, small (भिंडी) – 6 nos
For Tempering
- Coconut Oil (नारियल तेल) – 4 tbsp
- Mustard Seeds (सरसों बीज) – 1 tsp
- Methi Seeds (मेथी बीज) – ½ tsp
- Dry Red Chilli (सूखी लाल मिर्च) – 3 nos
- Curry Leaves (कड़ी पत्ता) – a sprig
- Coriander, Chopped (ताज़ा धनिया) – handful
Instructions
- For Sambhar, Wash the Toor dal thoroughly and soak it in water for 2 hours. In the pressure cooker, add the washed Toor dal, turmeric powder, green chillies and a dash of coconut oil along with water. Pressure cook for about 3-4 whistles or until the dal is soft and well-cooked.
- For sambhar masala, add chana dal, urad dal, coriander seeds, cumin, black pepper, Methi seeds, dried red chillies, and curry leaves on a small pan, and heat it till it gets a little light brown. Grind the masala into a fine powder. Now add Hing and mix it well, and the sambhar masala is ready.
- Add some more water to the boiled dal, then add drumsticks, carrot, potato, ash gourd, pumpkin and salt to taste. Sprinkle sambhar masala and then give it a nice stir. Boil it till the veggies are cooked well. When the veggies are almost cooked add tomato and okra.
- In a hot pan, heat some coconut oil, then add mustard seeds, curry leaves and dried red chillies. Let it splatter then add it to the Sambhar.Sprinkle some chopped coriander and the Sambhar is ready to be served.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!