Everyday easy Drumstick Sambar Recipe / முருங்கைக்காய் சாம்பார் for rice

Sambar is one of the most casual dishes of south India. It can also make a comfort meal along with an apt side dish.

Let’s see a recipe for Drumstick Sambar, which is an “everyday” version – meaning there are no complicated steps involved.

You can make this sambar on any day of the week – be it a weekday or a weekend.

Ingredients for Drumstick Sambar

Toor Dal /துவரம் பருப்பு – 1 Cup

Shallots / Sambar Onions / சாம்பார் வெங்காயம் – 8-10

Tomatoes / தக்காளி – 2 Medium sized

Drumstick / முருங்கைக்காய் – 2 medium or 1 long

Sambar Powder / சாம்பார் பொடி – 2 Tablespoons

Kulambu chilli powder / குழம்பு மிளகாய் தூள் – 2 Teaspoons

Salt / உப்பு – As needed

Tamarind / புளி – 1

For tempering

Oil / எண்ணெய் – 2 Tablespoons

Cumin seeds / ஜீரகம் – 1 Teaspoon

Mustard seeds / கடுகு – 1 Teaspoon

Red Chilli / வர மிளகாய் – 1

Asafoetida / பெருங்காயம் – 1 generous pinch

Curry leaves / கருவேப்பிலை – 1 Sprig

Drumstick Sambar Recipe

Wash 1 cup Toor dal well and soak in 2 cups water for about 10-15 mins. Soak about a lemon sized tamarind in water.

Peel the shallots. Chop the tomatoes and drumsticks.

Meanwhile, cook the dal for 4 whisltes.

Place a pan of your choice on the stove – I’ve used a clay pot.

Once its hot, add 1.5 tablespoons of oil. Once the oil is hot, add cumin.

Once it sizzles, add mustard seeds and let it splutter.

Now add 1 broken red chilli. And add a generous pinch of asafoetida powder.

Add the shallots, and add a sprig of curry leaves.

Saute for about a minute until the onions become translucent. Add the tomatoes.

Saute for another minute. Now, add the drumstick and add 1.5 tablespoons of salt.

Add 2.5 cups water and add 2.5 tablespoons of sambar powder and 2 teaspoons of kulambu chilli powder (or you can use 1 teaspoon plain chilli powder).

Give it a good stir, close and cook for about 10-15 minutes.

Open and check if the drumstick is cooked. If so, crush the soaked tamarind with your hands and add about a cup of that tamarind water to the pot.

Give it a good mix and cover and cook for another 10 mins.

Mash the cooked dal well and add it in the sambar. Give it a good stir and check for salt, add if needed.

Now, close and simmer for 5 minutes.

Switch off the stove.

Enjoy hot rice with drumstick sambar topped with a tablespoon of ghee!