Thursday, July 03, 2014

Arachuvitta Sambar | Best Kalyana Sambar Recipe | Authentic Brahmin Style Sambar


Arachuvitta Sambar is a traditional and authentic Brahmin-style recipe, very common in many Tambrahm households as a part of everyday cooking. Made with freshly ground spices, it really tastes heavenly, not to mention about the Sambar prepared for festivals and celebrations, especially marriages. Though I remember amma doing this style Sambar for weekend lunches which we all love so much, unfortunately, I could'nt find the exact recipe in her diary. I tried many versions from cookbooks and the Net, but was not satisfied with the result. When I tasted this yummy Arachuvitta Sambar which my close friend Hema brought for a potluck, I was literally blown away and it was the best Sambar one could ever have. So tasty with the flavours complementing each other, at the same time not overpowering. Her unique recipe which includes of sautéing coconut, tomato,ginger and chilli apart from regular 'roast and grind ' items is the secret which makes this Sambar stand out. Thank you Hema for sharing this brilliant recipe. Here we go with the authentic brahmin-style, best-tasting 'Kalyana Sambar' recipe!  

Blogging Marathon 42 - Week 1, Day 1
Theme - South Indian Meal Dishes

Preparation and cooking time - 45mins
Serves - 6


Ingredients:-

Mixed veggies ( also known as 'Thaan') - 1&1/2cup, cubed
(Normally, all or any combination of these are used - Drumstick, Carrot, Chow-Chow,Yellow pumpkin, Beans, Potato)
Small Onion / Shallots - 1/2cup, peeled
Toor dal - 3/4cup
Turmeric powder - 1tsp
Jeera - 1tsp
Tamarind extract - Thin extract from 1 gooseberry-sized tamarind (about 3cups)
Salt - As needed
Sambar powder - 2tblsp
Ghee - 2tsp
Coriander leaves - Few

To roast and grind - 1 :-
Sesame oil - 2tsp
Channa Dal - 3tblsp
Dhaniya / Coriander seeds - 3tblsp
Red chilli - 5-6 (adjust to preference)
Fenugreek seeds / Methi - 1tsp
Black peppercorn - 5-6
Rice - 1tsp 

To roast and grind - 2 :-
Sesame oil - 1tsp
Grated coconut - 1/2cup
Tomato - 1, cubed
Ginger - 1" piece
Green chilli - 1

To temper :-
Sesame oil - 2tsp
Mustard seeds - 2tsp
Fenugreek seeds / Methi - 1/2tsp
Asafoetida -1tsp
Curry leaves - 1 sprig

Method:-

1.  Pressure cook Toor Dal with turmeric powder and jeera. Mash and set aside.

2.  Heat 2tsp sesame oil a heavy bottomed pan, temper it with mustard seeds, fenugreek, asafoetida and curry leaves. Add small onion and sauté for 3-4mins until it slightly start browning and shrinks.



3.  Add all the veggies except pumpkin (as it cooks faster) and sauté for a min. Pour enough water to cover the veggies, add salt and turmeric powder and let it cook for about 10mins until half-cooked.

4.  Now, add tamarind extract, salt (as we have added for veggies, adjust accordingly), sambar powder and pumpkin and let it boil for another 10-12mins until veggies are cooked to perfect.



5.  While the veggies are getting cooked, roast the ingredients given above (1) separately in oil, until golden. In the same pan, add 1tsp oil and sauté the ingredients given above (2) until tomato turns mushy and the mixture is aromatic. Let it cool and grind them (1&2) together with some water into a paste. 



6.  Once the veggies are cooked in the Sambar, add the ground mixture followed by cooked Toor dal to it. Let it boil for 3-4mins for the flavours to combine. Add 2tsp ghee and give it a boil before turning off the heat.



Garnish with coriander leaves and serve for a hearty meal which will be relished by your family.



Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM#42

15 comments :

  1. The word arachuvitta sambar itself makes me hungry, wat an authentic dish, i can survive for many days with this delicious sambar.

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  2. Anytime for this archuvitta sambar..looks very good..

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  3. very nicely done Suji.. Love this version of sambar due to the freshness...

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  4. Roast and grind 2 is new ! Must try soon ! That bowl is v tempting Suja ! Just need rice and papad with that sambhar .. Bookmarking this ..

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  5. Looks so good and authentic ...yumm!

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  6. Can't see anything extra special here. We cook using same procedure in Karnataka as well.

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  7. Such a hearty and comforting sambar. Looks so good.

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  8. This one sounds very new and flavorful as well.

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  9. Comforting and delicious. Bookmarking this to try later.

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  10. Sambhar looks so tasty and full of flavors !

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  11. The recipe seems to be interesting. .will try make this version the next time I make it.

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  12. Sambar looks scrumptious & flavorful.

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  13. We don't do the roast and grind 2.But would love to try it out sometime. The dish looks very inviting!

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  14. I tried this sambar and loved it. Thank you.

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