Tomato Sambar ( Thakkali Sambar )

Thakkali Sambar

Tomato sambar without dhal

Tomato sambar with dhal

Sambar with tomato is one of the best sambars for idly and dosa. 

This can be made with dhal or without dhal.

It is a very good side dish for chappathy also.

Ingredients :
Tomato                                   : 4 nos., medium size
Onion big                                : 1 big size
Capsicum pieces                      : 1/4 cup [optional ]
Green peas                               : 1 Tbsp [ optional ]
Green chilly                             : 2 nos.
Curry leaves                            : 10 nos.  
Coriander leaves                      :  1 Tblsp nicely chopped
Mustard seeds                         : 1/2 Tsp
Urad dhal                                 : 1/2 TSp
Gram dhal                                : 1 Tsp
Asafoetida powder                   :  1/4 Tsp
Turmeric powder                      : a pinch
Jeera powder(cumin)                : 1/2 Tsp
Red chilly powder                    : 1/2 Tsp
Sambar powder                        : 1 Tsp
Oil                                          : 1 Tsp

Optional :
cooked dhal ( either thoor dhal or green gram dhal) : 3 Tblsp

Method : 
Wash tomatoes & make puree using a mixie and keep aside.

Turn ON the stove & keep a kadai with 1 Tsp of any cooking oil.
When the oil is hot & reduce the flame to SIM.

Add mustard seeds.
After it splutters, add urad dhal & gram dhal.
When the dhals become golden brown, then add asafoetida and red chilly powder.
Immediately add curry leaves, 3/4th of the coriander leaves (rest save for garnishing ) and split green chillies.
Now add cut onions and saute till it turns to rose color.

At this stage add sambar powder, jeera powder, turmeric powder & stir for few seconds.

Now add cooked dhal & keep stirring for few seconds.
Add tomato puree and add 1/2 cup of water & allow the sambar to simmer for 7 minutes.

Add salt to taste.

And  allow it to simmer for some more minutes.

Now the thakkaali sambar is ready.

Tomato sambar without dhal

If you are making this sambar for Idly or dosa, then prepare it with dhal.

If you are doing tomato sambar as a side dish for chappathy or roti, then make it without dhal.

And if you want the sambar to be hot & spicy then increase the quantity of red chilly powder and green chilly.

While eating with idly this sambar should be poured over the idlies.

That is idly should float in the sambar pool and add a spoon full of gingelly oil.
Ha! ah! thats the taste!! no chance at allllll!

Note : At the final stage if the sambar seems to be watery dissolve 1/2 Tsp of either gram flour ( Besan) or corn flour in a Tblsp of water and add to the sambar.
Allow the sambar to boil for few seconds and transfer to a serving bowl.
Garnish with coriander leaves.


other sambar varieties you may like to try

Drumstick Brinjal Sambar

Onion Sambar

Potato Sambar

Aviyal

Venthaya kuzhambu

vathakuzhambu

Vadai morekuzhambu

Vazhaipoo Kuzhambu

Ideas for Breakfast/Dinner

Tiffin Recipes