๐ Sambar Sadham
South Indian One-Pot Lentil & Vegetable Rice
Spice Level: ๐ถ๏ธ๐ถ๏ธ
Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 30 mins | Serves: 4
Calories (approx): 380 kcal
๐ One Pot, Thousand Stories
๐ฟ Introduction
Sambar Sadham is comfort distilled into a single pot โ rice, lentils, vegetables, and spice
coming together the way South Indian kitchens have always understood nourishment:
slow, balanced, and deeply satisfying.
โSome meals donโt ask to impress โ they simply hold youโ
Sambar Sadham
Photo by Stirred By Spice
๐ Ingredients
Main Base
Raw rice โ 1 cup
Toor dal โ ยฝ cup
Mixed vegetables (carrot, pumpkin, drumstick, beans) โ 1ยฝ cups, chopped
Tamarind pulp โ 2 tbsp
Water โ 4ยฝ cups
Salt โ to taste
For Sambar Masala
Sambar powder โ 2ยฝ tbsp
Turmeric powder โ ยฝ tsp
Tempering
Ghee or sesame oil โ 2 tbsp
Mustard seeds โ 1 tsp
Cumin seeds โ 1 tsp
Dry red chilies โ 2
Curry leaves โ 1 sprig
Asafoetida (hing) โ ยผ tsp
๐ฝ๏ธ Instructions
Cook Rice & Dal โ Wash rice and dal together. Pressure cook with water, turmeric, vegetables, and salt until soft and slightly mushy.
Build Sambar Base โ Mash lightly. Add tamarind pulp and sambar powder. Simmer for 8โ10 minutes until aromatic.
Temper & Finish โ Heat ghee, crackle mustard and cumin, add chilies, curry leaves, and hing. Pour over sambar sadham and mix gently.
Rest Before Serving โ Let sit for 5 minutes to absorb flavors.
If you enjoyed this rice dish, try my
๐ท Optional Serving Notes
Serve with papad, pickle, or curd
A drizzle of ghee just before serving elevates the dish
๐ฌ Soulful Note
This is the food that appears when no one asks whatโs for lunch โ it simply arrives, warm and complete,
ladled generously and eaten without ceremony.
๐ Cookโs Wisdom / FAQs
๐Cook's Wisdom:
Too thick? Add hot water and loosen gently.
Temple-style flavor: Use sesame oil instead of ghee.
Meal prep friendly: Tastes even better the next day.
๐ Nutrition (Per Serving โ Approx.)
Calories 380
Protein 12g
Carbs 58g
Fat 12g
Fiber 8g
๐๐ถ๐ The Bottom Line
Sambar Sadham is not rushed food. Itโs a reminder that simplicity, when given time, becomes deeply nourishing.
๐งก Meet the Heart Behind the Spice
Hi, Iโm Maya Shetty โ cook, storyteller, and spice lover.
Through Stirred By Spice, I share recipes that warm both the kitchen and the heart โ where simple ingredients and warm flavors turn everyday meals into moments of connection.
๐ฌ Iโd Love to Hear From You!
Your words, memories, and reflections mean the world to me.
Share your thoughts using the form below โ I read every message.
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