Oats Sambar

Oats Sambar is a game-changer in South Indian cuisine, proving that sambar doesn’t have to rely solely on pulses like toor dal. With the rising cost of dals, experimenting with alternatives is the need of the hour, and oats make for an excellent substitute. Not only is this recipe budget-friendly, but it also retains the authentic flavor and texture of traditional sambar.

The highlight of Oats Sambar is its simplicity and speed. Requiring just a handful of oats (4-5 tablespoons), this recipe is quick to prepare, making it a perfect choice for busy mornings or weeknight dinners. The oats thicken the sambar beautifully, mimicking the consistency achieved with dal, while also adding a nutritious twist packed with fiber.

This unique sambar pairs wonderfully with rice, idli, dosa, or pongal, delivering a wholesome and satisfying meal. Whether you’re looking to save on dal or want to try something different, this Oats Sambar recipe is sure to surprise you with its deliciousness and ease.

Ingredients

Oats-4 tbsps
Drumstick-1 no chopped to finger length pieces
Onions-2 nos chopped
Sambar powder-3 tsps
Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
Tamarind extract-from small lemon sized tamarind
Salt-to taste
Mustard seeds-1/2 tsp
Asafetida-a pinch
Curry leaves and coriander leaves a few
Oil-1 tsp.

Method

👉Cook the oats in one cup boiling water as usual with turmeric powder and  mash it well until mushy set aside.
👉Cook the drumsticks in pressure cooker for 2 whistles and set aside along with the water.
👉Heat oil in a kedai add mustard seeds,curry leaves and allow it to splutter,next add the onions cook well.
👉Now add the cooked oats followed by sambar powder,tamarind extract,salt,add drumstick (along with its cooked water) and cook till raw smell goes.
Check for salt .
  👉Garnish and Serve hot .


Serves-4
Preparation time-15 mins.

Note

✍️Different brands of oats have different cooking time (regular oats eaters will know that.) So depending on the brand you use cook the oats accordingly.
✍️Mash the oats well (even this varies with the brand as you know some will be very flaky)otherwise you can see oats separately in your sambar( some people might not like it that way.)
✍️If you find that your oats is still look flaky even after cooking for 5 mins blend it in a mixie to a smooth paste and the use it.
✍️While adding tamarind extract be careful as this sambar doesn't need that much tamarind.
✍️Due to gelatinization process the sambar will be slightly sticky and tends to thicken soon in that case add hot water to it and mix well before serving.
✍️This sambar goes well with rice,idli dosa,pongal etc.