Pottukadalai Sambar | Roasted Gram Sambar | Instant Sambar

Pottukadalai Sambar is a simple yet flavorful South Indian sambar variety that stands out for its unique preparation. Unlike the traditional sambar made with cooked toor dal, this version uses a paste made from pottukadalai (roasted gram or fried gram dal) as the base. This method not only saves time but also imparts a creamy texture and distinct taste to the sambar.

This instant pottukadalai sambar is perfect for busy mornings or when you need to quickly prepare something delicious for unexpected guests. The creamy slurry of pottukadalai blends seamlessly with the tamarind extract and spices, creating a rich and tangy flavor. The preparation process remains similar to regular sambar, with the addition of tempered spices, vegetables, and tamarind, but the use of roasted gram paste eliminates the need for soaking and cooking toor dal, making it incredibly time-efficient.

Pottukadalai Sambar pairs wonderfully with South Indian tiffin items like idli, dosa, pongal, or upma. Its mildly tangy and creamy texture makes it an excellent accompaniment for breakfast or dinner. It can also be served with steamed rice for a light yet satisfying meal.

The ease of preparation and its delicious taste make Pottukadalai Sambar a go-to dish when you want something comforting and quick. The versatility of this recipe allows you to add vegetables of your choice, such as shallots, drumsticks, carrots, or beans, enhancing its nutritional value and flavor.

Whether you’re a beginner in South Indian cooking or an experienced home cook, Pottukadalai Sambar is a must-try recipe that showcases the simplicity and richness of traditional South Indian cuisine.

Ingredients

Pottukadalai (fried gram dal ) -2 tbsps
Small onions -10-15 nos
Tomato -1 big chopped
Garlic -6 cloves crushed
Sambar powder -2 tsps
Turmeric powder -1/4 tsp
Tamarind extract from small lemon sized tamarind
Mustard seeds-1/4 tsp
Cumin seeds-1 tsp
Red chillies -2 nos broken
Curry leaves and coriander leaves few chopped
Salt to taste
Oil -2 tsps

Method

👉Powder the pottukadalai (fried gram dal) in mixie. Mix 1/2 cup water to it and make a thin paste or slurry without any lumps. Set aside.

👉Heat oil in kadai add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, red chillies, curry leaves and allow it to splutter. Add garlic, onions and sauté well. Add tomatoes cook until mushy.

👉Add turmeric powder and sambar powder sauté for few seconds.

👉Add tamarind extract and required water, salt and bring to a boil.

👉Add the fried gram paste (slurry) and stir well.
Boil the sambar for 5 mins until it thickens to desired consistency.

👉Garnish and serve hot with idli, dosa, pongal,upma etc

Preparation Time -15 mins
Serves- 4-6

Note -

✍️You can add veggies of your choice too.
✍️This sambar will thicken quickly after adding the fried gram slurry so be cautious, add required water to adjust the consistency.
✍️Instead of adding tamarind extract you can use lemon juice.

✍️Another variation of this sambar is dry roasting pepper, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, red chillies and pottukadalai and making a fine powder on this mixture, then adding this powder to make sambar as rest of the step are the same.