How to make sambhar rice combo

Know About Sambar Rice

Sambar sadam, or sambar rice as it is commonly called, is a complete dish that uses all ingredients in the perfect proportion. The aroma and flavor of the sambar rice recipe come from lentils, rice, tamarind, spices, and vegetables. When rice and sambar are cooked together, all the flavors get absorbed, making the taste delectable. Unlike sambar, which is served with plain rice, this flavorful rice is not only cooked with sambar but uses dal. For enhancing the taste and aroma, spices are also added. It is usually made in Tamil Nadu, and sambar rice is known as temple food and is popular for being wholesome, balanced, and satisfying. The dish tastes better when made with fresh ingredients and is easy to cook.

Pick the Correct Lentils and Rice

The sambar rice combination will turn out perfect when the right lentils and rice are chosen. For the sambar rice combination, toor dal or split pigeon peas are used in sambar recipes. This dal has a mild flavor and creamy consistency. For making the rice, short-grain sona masoori rice or ponni rice is preferable, as it is soft and takes the sambar flavor well without getting mushy. In case you want a healthier option, you can cook brown rice or millets along with white rice. It should be noted that when cooking rice for sambar, the rice and dal should be cooked till it is soft but not overcooked. When the sambar is cooked with rice and dal, it should combine to form a paste.

Prepare the Vegetables

Vegetables play an important role in the sambar rice combination and should be fresh and healthy. A good sambar rice recipe is usually cooked with mixed vegetables. The best vegetables to use in this recipe are drumstick, brinjal, carrot, beans, pumpkin, and okra. Drumstick has an earthy aroma, while pumpkin tastes sweet. The vegetables for sambar rice should be finely chopped and cooked till soft. It is important to use fresh vegetables in the combination dish. It is best to sauté the vegetables in little oil before mixing them with the sambar rice combination. For a quick sambar rice combination, two or three vegetables can be used.

Tamarind Base

The most important thing to note for making tamarind extract is that fresh tamarind pulp should be used in the dish. To make the tamarind paste quickly, soak a lemon-sized ball of tamarind pulp in warm water for about 10-15 minutes and then squeeze the pulp. Tamarind concentrate is also available in the market that can be used by diluting it with water. The tamarind extract should be tangy to balance the flavor of sambar rice. Some also like to mix a little jaggery with the tamarind extract for creating a sweet-sour flavor.

Sambar Powder

To make the sambar rice, the dish needs to have a perfect sambar powder. Store-bought sambar powder is convenient to use as it is time-saving and can be used directly in the recipe. However, some also like to make the sambar powder at home. Homemade sambar powder is more aromatic and has a fresher flavor than store-bought ones. To make sambar powder, dry roast ingredients like coriander seeds, red chilies, fenugreek seeds, chana dal, urad dal, cumin, and black pepper and grind them. Sambar powder can also be made using 2-3 tablespoons of good-quality sambar powder, a pinch of extra roasted fenugreek powder, and some asafoetida (hing).

How to Make Sambar Rice Base?

In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat a spoon of oil and add mustard seeds, urad dal, curry leaves, and a pinch of hing and sauté the ingredients for few seconds. This combination of ingredients forms a base and gives a strong aroma to the sambar rice dish. Add chopped onions (or shallots) to the pan and sauté them till they are translucent. Add the tomatoes and wait till they are soft before adding the vegetables. Mix the sambar powder and tamarind extract and add water and cook the vegetables till they are soft. Next, add cooked dal and rice and add hot water to the combination. Simmer for about 5-10 minutes and make sure the flavors are mixed well. The consistency of the sambar rice should be thick and creamy. Sambar rice can be garnished with fresh coriander leaves.

Balancing the Taste and Texture of the Sambar Rice

Sambar rice combination dish is a harmonious mixture of spices, sour, and sweet and to make it better, the dish should be of good consistency. While tasting the dish at the simmering stage, the following notes should be kept in mind: 

• If it is too sour, add a pinch of jaggery. 
• If it is spicy, add some more cooked dal or a spoon of coconut milk. 
• If it is bland, add some more sambar powder or salt. 

The best consistency of sambar rice is when it is thick but loose as the rice tends to thicken as it cools. Drizzle a spoon of ghee before serving the dish.

Perfect Pairings to Serve with the Sambar Rice Combination

The sambar rice dish combination is best served with the right sides. The best accompaniments with sambar rice are crispy fried papad, pickle, and curd. Papads are usually added to any South Indian meal for added taste. Pickle like mango pickle or lime or garlic pickle is also a good choice. Curd or raita will also help the palette from being too spicy. A bowl of cabbage poriyal or potato fry can also be served on the side as a full South Indian meal.

The Tempering (Tadka) Step

Tempering the rice can take your sambar rice combination to another level. A teaspoon of ghee or sesame oil should be heated in a small pan and mustard seeds should be added to it. Wait for the seeds to splutter and then add dried red chilies, curry leaves, and hing. Pour the sizzling mixture over the hot sambar rice and it is ready to serve. This tadka step may seem like a small one but it is one of the most essential steps. It enhances the aroma and taste of the sambar rice.

Saving Time in Making the Sambar Rice Combination

Cooking sambar rice does not have to take a lot of time. In fact, there are several time-saving techniques that can be used to make the sambar rice in no time. One way of cooking sambar rice combination is to cook dal, rice, and vegetables all together in the pressure cooker and then add tamarind and sambar to it. Ready-made tamarind paste can also be used. Instant sambar mixes are available in the market which is a combination of sambar powder, salt, and hing and can be used as needed. Cooked dal and chopped vegetables can also be frozen in small packets so that the only remaining steps are mixing and simmering.

Regional Variations of Sambar Rice

Sambar rice is a Tamil Nadu specialty and is famous as temple food in Tamil Nadu. But, there are different regional variations of sambar rice. Karnataka has its own version called Bisi Bele Bath. It uses a special masala and different spices like cinnamon and cloves for giving a rich aroma to the sambar rice. Sambar rice in Andhra Pradesh is spicier than the Tamil Nadu version and is cooked with extra tamarind and red chili. In Kerala, sambar rice is cooked with coconut and curry leaves.

Presenting and Serving Tips

Presentation is an important part of the sambar rice combination. The best way of serving the dish is to pour it in a wide bowl and eat it while it is hot and aromatic. Before serving the rice, it should be topped with melted ghee and fresh coriander leaves can also be added. Crispy papads should be served on the side with the rice. A small bowl of pickle can also be served as a side dish. A bowl of curd or raita should also be served to balance the spices of the rice. For a festive touch, the sambar rice can be garnished with fried cashews. The dish can also be served in a banana leaf.

Picking the Beverages and Desserts to Match the Sambar Rice Combo

The sambar rice combination tastes delicious and can be paired with different beverages and desserts. A glass of buttermilk that is flavored with curry leaves and cumin can be served. Buttermilk acts as a digestive beverage and helps from tasting the spices of the meal. For dessert, traditional ones like payasam (kheer) and sweet pongal can be served which will match well with the sambar rice combination. Even a fresh fruit bowl or filter coffee can do the trick.

Storing and Reheating Tips

Sambar rice can be prepared in bulk and stored for later consumption. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two days. Sambar rice can be reheated by sprinkling some hot water or ghee to bring the softness and freshness to the dish. It is not recommended to reheat the sambar rice for many times as the flavors tend to be lost. The sambar base can be frozen in small packets and can be kept frozen for a long time. When it is reheated, freshly cooked rice and tadka can be added to it. These sambar rice storing and reheating tips are helpful in making sambar rice a practical and comforting food.

Nutritional Value of the Sambar Rice Combo

Sambar rice is a well-balanced meal and provides nourishment when served along with curd. The lentils in the sambar rice provide protein, the rice offers carbohydrates and energy, the vegetables provide vitamins and minerals, tamarind helps in digestion, and the spices like turmeric and cumin are anti-inflammatory and have antibacterial properties. The ingredients that are used in the sambar rice dish are natural and provide a wide range of nutrients. The protein, probiotics, healthy carbs, fiber, vitamins, and minerals in sambar rice make it a wholesome and healthy dish. For making the sambar rice healthier, you can use millets or brown rice instead of white rice.

Conclusion

Sambar rice combination is one of the best dishes in South Indian cuisine. It has all the quintessential components of a complete meal such as grains, lentils, vegetables, spices, and a little tang to it. Sambar rice is a flavorful and an aromatic dish that can be made in many ways. It can be made the traditional way by making a sambar or in a quick way in the pressure cooker. It is comforting, tasty, and soul-warming. A great sambar rice dish has perfectly cooked rice and dal with a tangy-sour-spicy taste. Papad, pickle, and curd are the main accompaniments with sambar rice which together create an ideal, wholesome meal that is both comforting and filling.