Ingredients (Serves 7)
1. Toor dal / thuvaraparippu – 3/4 – 1 cup (you can use masoor dal instead)
Potato – 1 medium-large, cut into large cubes
Kaya / raw plantain – 1/2 medium, peeled and cubed
Carrot – 1 medium, cubed
Brinjal – 1/2 medium, cubed
Amarakka payar – 1/4 cup, cut into 1 inch slices
Drumstick – 1, cut into 2 inch pieces
Onion – 1/2 medium, cubed
Garlic – 4 small (optional)
Tomato – 1 medium, cubed
Green chilies – 2, slit
Tamarind – 1 tsp, soaked in 1/4 cup hot water for 15 minutes, squeezed and strained
Turmeric powder – 3/4 tsp
Chilly powder – 2 – 3 tsp
Coriander powder – 1 tbsp
Hing / asafoetida – 1 – 2 pinches
Fenugreek powder – 1/8 tsp
Water – Around 2 cups or as required
Salt – To taste
To season
2. Cilantro / coriander leaves – 3 – 4 sprigs
3. Coconut oil – 1.5 – 2 tbsp
Mustard seeds – 3/4 tsp
Dried red chilies – 2, broken
Uluva / fenugreek seeds – 1 pinch
Curry leaves – 1 sprig
Shallots – 4, thinly sliced
Hing / asafoetida – 1 pinch
Method
- Add all the ingredients numbered 1 inside the instant pot. Water should be in the same level as that of the vegetables.
- Close the lid on the pot, and turn valve from VENTING to SEALING position.
- Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) and set timer to 8 minutes.
- Do a NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE(NPR) (Wait until silver button on lid drops). BE CAREFUL OF THE HOT STEAM OR If you are in a hurry – Allow the pot to sit undisturbed for at least 20 minutes, and then release all remaining pressure.
- Remove lid and sprinkle a few cilantro sprigs.
- Heat 2 tbsp coconut oil in a separate small pan and add mustard seeds. When they begin to sputter, add dried red chilies and a pinch of uluva / fenugreek seeds. Fry for around 5 seconds and then add sliced shallots. Cook until golden and then add asafoetida(hing), curry leaves and stir for 5 seconds. Add this to the sambar in the Instant Pot. Keep covered for 10 minutes. Serve with idli/dosa or rice.
Tip
You can use a pressure cooker to cook this recipe. Soak toor dal for 1 hour in enough water, rinse and then follow the instructions above.
Hi maya, wish u share the recipe of homemade sambar powder??
Hi Maya, I have made your instant pot sambar. It was good and easy as well. Could u pls share more instant pot recipes? It would be great.
Sure, will do..Thanks for writing!