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Sambhar Rice/Sambhar Sadam

Swati
Sambhar rice, an everyday one pot meal from Tamil Cuisine. Easy to prepare recipe in Instant Pot and pressure cooker. Learn how to prepare Sambhar Rice in Instant Pot and Pressure Cooker.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Soaking Time for Rice and Lentils 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine Indian Cuisine, South Indian
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 Cup Rice
  • 1/4 Cup Toor/Arhar Dal/Split Pigeon Peas
  • 1/4 Cup Dhuli Masoor/Red Lentils
  • 1 Onion(medium)
  • 1 Tomato
  • 1 Cup Mixed Vegetables Carrot, Zucchini, Lauki(Bottle Gourd,Beans or Peas)
  • 1-2 Tbsp Sambhar Masala
  • 1-2 Tbsp Tamarind Pulp or as per the tanginess you want in the dish
  • 1/4 Tsp Turmeric Powder
  • 1-2 Dry Red Chillies
  • 1-2 Tbsp Oil/Desi Ghee
  • 1/2 Tsp Mustard Seeds
  • 1/2 Tsp Jeera/Cumin Seeds
  • 4-5 Curry Leaves
  • Chopped Coriander/Cilantro
  • Salt as per taste

Instructions
 

  • Wash and soak the rice and lentils together for minimum of 15-20 minutes before you start cooking.
  • Finely chop the vegetables, onions and tomatoes
  • Prepare the tamarind pulp or paste to add in the rice and keep aside or you can use readymade(store bought) also.
  • Soak a tennis ball sized tamarind block in warm water, squeeze it with fingers and make the pulp. Filter the pulp to discard the fibres. 

Cooking in Instant Pot

  • Turn on the saute mode of Instant Pot on high  and add ghee when it displays hot. Add asafoetida and cumin seeds/ jeera and mustard seeds/rai and curry leaves. 
  • Add finely chopped onions and saute till light pink. Add tomatoes and cook till soft and mushy. 
  • Add turmeric powder, sambhar powder and red chilli powder and mix.
  • Add soaked rice and lentils. Add salt to taste and 3-4 cups of water. 
  • Cancel the saute mode, set the pressure cook mode on high for 10 minutes.
  • Once the timer goes off, after 5 minutes, release the pressure from the  and open the lid. Check for the doneness of the rice and lentils. Adjust the consistency of water if the rice is thick.
  • Add the tamarind pulp or paste.
  • Mix it and cook the rice for another 4-5 minutes.
  • Prepare the tempering. In a pan, heat some desi ghee or oil, when it is warm enough, add cumin seeds,mustard seeds curry leaves, when it splutters, add the dry red chillies and some onions. Fry onions till light pink. Add red chilli powder if required , add to the Sambhar Rice and serve it hot!!

Cooking in Pressure Cooker

  • To cook in pressure cooker, follow all the steps of till the cooking and mixing the rice and dal till adding water, after closing the lid, cook till 2-3 whistles, then when the pressure releases, open the lid, check for the doneness of rice and lentils and adjust the consistency, add water if required, cook for another 4-5 minutes , prepare  and add tempering.Serve hot.

Notes

Notes..
  • The spice level can be adjusted as per one's preference.
  • Add less water if you want it thicker.Making it with desi ghee adds on to the taste but you can use oil if you are vegan or want to avoid ghee.
  • If you don't have tamarind add 1-2 tbsp of lemon juice. Though tamarind gives it the authentic flavour but lemon can be also a good substitute for it. II use lemon many times if I don't have tamarind pulp paste.
Keyword Sadam, Sambhar, Sambhar Rice
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