Sambar in Kerala is quite simple. There aren’t many kinds like in Tamil Nadu where sambar usually has one or two vegetables and the flavours are adjusted a bit according to the vegetable added. In this Kerala sambar recipe which amma and athamma make, we add carrots, potatoes, drumsticks, onions or shallots, and sometimes capsicum too. This sambar can be served with rice, idli, and dosa and the amount of tamarind is adjusted to accordingly. When I shared the Fresh Sambar Powder Recipe last week, there was a lot of positive feedback from many of you. I took a picture of the final sambar (above) to illustrate what we made with the sambar powder but a lot of you emailed asking for the recipe. Then I realised the way amma makes sambar is very different from the way my MIL (who is a Tamil Brahmin) makes it so here how we make the Kerala-Style Sambar with freshly ground spices. Also check out radish sambar recipe here. Amma never adds coconut to sambar. We do have a Reddiar version of sambar with coconut called kottu sambar – I’ll share the recipe some time soon. This version of Kerala Sambar is from K. Athamma, who also gave me the recipe of sambar powder. Notes: – You can saute the sliced onions in a little ghee or oil before adding to the tamarind water with the rest of the vegetables. This enhances the flavour of the sambar greatly. – You can also use your own sambar powder in place of freshly ground spices to make this Kerala Sambar.
