Traditional Vendakkai Sambar Recipe For A Perfect Meal: A Step-By-Step Guide

By Rajan Bhattacharya

November 11, 2024

Vendakkai Sambar, also called Bhindi Sambar, is a comforting South Indian dish made with okra, tuvar dal, tamarind, and spices. It pairs wonderfully with rice, idli, or dosa for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

⅓ cup tuvar dal (pigeon pea lentils) 1 medium onion, diced 10-12 okra, chopped 1 medium tomato, diced ½ tbsp tamarind 3 tsp sambar powder ¼ tsp red chilli powder ¼ tsp turmeric powder Salt as required 1 tbsp sesame or coconut oil ½ tsp mustard seeds ½ tsp urad dal 2 dry red chillies 1 sprig curry leaves Pinch of asafoetida 2 cups water (divided)

Step 1

Soak ½ tbsp tamarind in ½ cup hot water for 30 minutes, then extract and set aside.

Step 2

Rinse ⅓ cup tuvar dal, add diced onion, 1.5 cups water, and pressure cook for 6-7 whistles. Mash the cooked dal well

Step 3

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan, add chopped okra, and sauté on low flame for 2 minutes.

Step 4

Add diced tomato to the pan, sauté for 2-3 minutes, then add the mashed dal, water, tamarind pulp, and spices.

Step 5

Simmer the mixture on a medium flame for 10 minutes until the okra is tender. Set aside.

Step 6

Heat oil, add mustard seeds, urad dal, red chillies, curry leaves, and asafoetida. Pour into sambar.  Serve hot with steamed rice, idli, or dosa