{"id":"recipe_aa7d18bd2f","slug":"sambar","title":"Sambar","description":"A classic South Indian lentil and vegetable stew made with pigeon peas, tangy tamarind, and aromatic spices.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":30,"totalMinutes":45,"activeMinutes":20},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1/2 cup toor dal (pigeon peas)","name":"Toor Dal","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"dried","notes":"pigeon peas","group":"Dal Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder","name":"Turmeric","quantity":0.5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"","group":"Dal Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 tablespoon tamarind paste","name":"Tamarind Paste","quantity":15,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"paste","notes":"or a lemon-sized ball of pulp soaked in water","group":"Tangy Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"2 tablespoons sambar powder","name":"Sambar Powder","quantity":12,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"powder","notes":"","group":"Spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"10 small onions (shallots), peeled","name":"Onion","quantity":10,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":10,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"shallots preferred","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 cup mixed vegetables (carrot, beans, drumstick)","name":"Mixed Vegetables","quantity":150,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"chopped","notes":"carrot, beans, or drumstick","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 tomato, chopped","name":"Tomato","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"chopped","notes":"","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 tablespoon ghee or oil","name":"Oil","quantity":15,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"can substitute with vegetable oil","group":"Tempering","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds","name":"Mustard Seeds","quantity":2,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"tsp","form":"seeds","notes":"","group":"Tempering","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"1 sprig curry leaves","name":"Curry Leaves","quantity":10,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":10,"usUnit":"piece","form":"fresh","notes":"about 10 leaves","group":"Tempering","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"1 pinch asafoetida (hing)","name":"Asafoetida","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"powder","notes":"","group":"Tempering","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Rinse the toor dal and pressure cook with turmeric and 1.5 cups of water until soft and mushy (about 3-4 whistles). Once cooked, mash the dal thoroughly and set aside.","group":"Dal Preparation","title":"Rinse the toor dal and pressure cook","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Dal Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a separate pot, add the chopped vegetables, shallots, and tomato with 1 cup of water and salt. Cook until the vegetables are tender.","group":"Vegetable Base","title":"Add the chopped vegetables, shallots, and tomato","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Vegetable Base"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add the tamarind paste and sambar powder to the cooked vegetables. Simmer for 5 minutes until the raw smell of tamarind disappears.","group":"Flavoring","title":"Add the tamarind paste and sambar powder","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Flavoring"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Add the mashed dal to the vegetable mixture. Adjust consistency with water if needed and bring to a gentle boil.","group":"Combining","title":"Add the mashed dal","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Combining"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"For the tempering, heat ghee in a small pan. Add mustard seeds. When they pop, add curry leaves and asafoetida. Pour this hot tempering over the sambar.","group":"Tempering","title":"For the tempering","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Tempering"}],"notes":"Using small onions (shallots) provides the most authentic flavor. You can use any combination of vegetables like drumstick, okra, or radish.","cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["South Indian"]},"course":["soup","side"],"cookingMethod":["boil","pressureCook","saute"],"equipment":["pressure cooker","saucepan","tempering pan"],"diet":["vegetarian","vegan","gluten_free","high_protein"],"allergens":["mustard"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":4,"unit":"bowl","note":"Standard side dish servings"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Sambar tastes even better the next day as the flavors develop. Store in an airtight container."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Refrigerate in a sealed container.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat on the stovetop; add a splash of water if it has thickened."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_aa7d18bd2f%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=de256eee-c068-4c96-bbb0-7334bd2ec2b6","imageAlt":"Sambar — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["lentil","stew","spicy","healthy","traditional"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Sambar","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T18:23:34.136Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T18:23:34.136Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_758c4d0ae6","slug":"indian-vegetable-soup","title":"Indian Vegetable Soup","description":"A comforting, aromatic, and nutritious Indian-style vegetable soup (Shorba) flavored with warm spices and ginger.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["South Indian"]},"course":["soup"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","low_fat","low_sodium"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_758c4d0ae6%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=c15e44c7-59cf-4f8d-bbdc-0f5c11a6d65d","imageAlt":"Indian Vegetable Soup — recipe cover","tags":["healthy","vegetable soup","indian cuisine","low calorie","vegan"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":12,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_3e3b5dfbee","slug":"makai-ka-shorba-indian-corn-soup","title":"Makai ka Shorba (Indian Corn Soup)","description":"A comforting and aromatic Indian-style sweet corn soup infused with ginger, green chilies, and tempered with cumin. This silky, gluten-free soup is finished with a touch of cream and fresh cilantro for a perfect appetizer or light meal.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["North Indian"]},"course":["soup","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_3e3b5dfbee%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=8ee31c1d-a8f3-4c0b-942c-714ad988a811","imageAlt":"Makai ka Shorba (Indian Corn Soup) — recipe cover","tags":["corn","soup","indian","healthy","vegetarian","shorba","winter warmers"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":11,"stepCount":7},{"id":"recipe_c7386513c8","slug":"meethi-lassi","title":"Meethi Lassi","description":"A refreshing and creamy traditional Indian yogurt drink sweetened with sugar and delicately flavored with green cardamom.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["Punjabi"]},"course":["dessert","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_c7386513c8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=1dba5e4c-1975-4b21-b98b-9b2c36dcca33","imageAlt":"Meethi Lassi — recipe cover","tags":["lassi","yogurt-drink","sweet","refreshing","indian-beverage","punjabi","cardamom"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":4}]}