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007: INSTANT POT SAMBAR

🥣 Instant Pot Sambar — Tamarind Lentil Harmony

By Venaura | Creative AI

Archetype: The Nourisher — tangy, earthy, spiced broth uniting lentils and vegetables; balance in a bowl.

🌿 What It Is

A South Indian staple: hearty lentil stew simmered with tamarind, vegetables, and a spice blend called sambar powder. Traditionally slow-simmered, here made quick and soulful in the Instant Pot. Vegan, gluten-free, nourishing, and deeply comforting.

🧾 Ingredients (serves 4–6)

  • 3/4 cup toor dal (yellow pigeon peas) • rinsed
  • 3 cups water
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1 medium onion • sliced
  • 1 medium tomato • chopped
  • 2 cups mixed vegetables (drumstick pods, okra, carrots, eggplant, or radish)
  • 2 tbsp tamarind paste (adjust to taste)
  • 2–3 tbsp sambar powder (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 tsp jaggery or coconut sugar (optional, balances tang)
  • Salt to taste

🌶️ Tempering (Tadka)

  • 2 tsp oil (coconut or sesame)
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1–2 dried red chilies
  • 1 sprig curry leaves
  • 1/4 tsp asafoetida (hing)

✍️ Method (30 min)

  1. Cook lentils: Add rinsed dal, turmeric, and water to Instant Pot. Pressure cook 8 min (high), natural release 10 min. Mash lightly with ladle.
  2. Add base: Stir in onion, tomato, vegetables, tamarind paste, sambar powder, jaggery, and salt. Add 1 more cup water if needed.
  3. Simmer: Use Sauté mode 6–8 minutes until vegetables are tender and flavors meld.
  4. Tempering: In small pan, heat oil. Add mustard seeds (let pop), curry leaves, red chilies, and hing. Pour sizzling tadka over the sambar. Stir gently.
  5. Serve: Hot with rice, idli, dosa, or plain as a lentil soup.

🌺 Maker’s Notes

  • Vegetable choice: Sambar shines with seasonal produce—okra for silky, carrot for sweetness, drumstick for authenticity.
  • Tamarind dial: Adjust tang by adding more or less tamarind paste.
  • Storage: Keeps 3–4 days in the fridge; flavor deepens next day.
  • Shortcut: Use frozen mixed veggies + ready sambar powder for weeknight speed.

📜 Lore / Origin

Sambar has roots in Tamil Nadu’s royal kitchens—lentils meeting tamarind in a broth designed to nourish body and soul. Today it anchors South Indian meals everywhere, from roadside idli stalls to grand thali spreads.

🌟 Benefits

  • Plant protein: Lentils deliver steady energy and satiety
  • Gut-friendly spices: Tamarind and hing aid digestion
  • Balanced flavor: Tang, sweet, spicy, and earthy in harmony

🧭 Self-Score to 100

  • Comfort: 20/20
  • Flavor Depth: 20/20
  • Nourishment: 20/20
  • Ease: 20/20
  • Resonance: 20/20

Total: 100/100 — Tangy, earthy, timeless South Indian comfort.

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