Kerala Style Varutharacha Sambar Recipe - Tangy Coconut Sambar Recipe

Name: Kerala Style Varutharacha Sambar Recipe - Tangy Coconut Sambar Recipe
Prep time: 40 min
Cuisine: Kerala Recipes
Ingredients: Ingredients for the Sambar Curry; 1/2 cup Arhar dal (Split Toor Dal); 2 Potato (Aloo); peel the skin and cut into large cubes; 1 Drumstick; cut into 2 inch pieces; 2 cups Vellai Poosanikai (Ash gourd/White Pumpkin); cut into medium sized cubes; 2 Carrots (Gajjar); cubed; 6 Bhindi (Lady Finger/Okra); cut into 1 and ½ inch pieces; 1 Tomato; diced; 10 Shallots; whole or cut into half; 1-1/2 cup Tamarind Water; 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder (Haldi); 2 Green Chillies; slit lengthwise; 1 sprig Curry leaves; 5 sprig Coriander (Dhania) Leaves; freshly chopped; Salt; to taste; Ingredients for Homemade Roasted Coconut Sambar Powder; 1/2 cup Fresh coconut; grated; 3 teaspoon Coriander (Dhania) Seeds; 4 Dry Red Chillies

By Admin

Prep Time Total in 40 M

Course Lunch

Cuisine Kerala Recipes

Diet High Protein Vegetarian

Varutharacha Sambar is a delicious Kerala Style Sambar Recipe that is made from roasted coconut homemade sambar powder that adds to the authenticity and flavor of the sambar. The aromas from the ground spices when combined along with tamarind water and cooked lentils, make this sambar very delicious and festive. An Onam sadya is incomplete without the freshly prepared spicy Varutharacha Sambar. It gives the whole meal a definition and lifts the Sadya to a new dimension.

Ingredients

Ingredients for the Sambar Curry
1/2 cup Arhar dal (Split Toor Dal)
2 Potato (Aloo)
peel the skin and cut into large cubes
1 Drumstick
cut into 2 inch pieces
2 cups Vellai Poosanikai (Ash gourd/White Pumpkin)
cut into medium sized cubes
2 Carrots (Gajjar)
cubed
6 Bhindi (Lady Finger/Okra)
cut into 1 and ½ inch pieces
1 Tomato
diced
10 Shallots
whole or cut into half
1-1/2 cup Tamarind Water
1 teaspoon Turmeric powder (Haldi)
2 Green Chillies
slit lengthwise
1 sprig Curry leaves
5 sprig Coriander (Dhania) Leaves
freshly chopped
Salt
to taste
Ingredients for Homemade Roasted Coconut Sambar Powder
1/2 cup Fresh coconut
grated
3 teaspoon Coriander (Dhania) Seeds
4 Dry Red Chillies
1 teaspoon Black Urad Dal (Split)
1 teaspoon Chana dal (Bengal Gram Dal)
1/4 teaspoon Methi Seeds (Fenugreek Seeds)
1/4 teaspoon Asafoetida (hing)
1 Curry leaves
few
1 teaspoon Coconut Oil
Ingredients for Seasoning
2 teaspoons Coconut Oil
1/2 teaspoon Mustard seeds (Rai/ Kadugu)
2 Shallots
finely sliced (optional)
2 Dry Red Chillies
1 sprig Curry leaves

Instructions

Step 1

To begin making the Kerala Style Varutharacha Sambar recipe, we will first prepare the Homemade Roasted Coconut Sambar Powder

Step 2

Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan and add fenugreek seeds

Step 3

Roast till lightly browned

Step 4

Add in the split urad dal and chana dal

Step 5

Roast until they turn golden brown

Step 6

Once the dals turn brown add the asafoetida and fry for a few seconds till aroma comes through

Step 7

Transfer this to a bowl and leave to cool

Step 8

In the same pan, roast the coriander seeds and dry red chillies

Step 9

Roast until till they give out a nice aroma and and the red chillies are lightly browned and roasted

Step 10

Now add in the curry leaves and grated coconut and fry till the coconut turns brown (take care not to burn the coconut)

Step 11

Keep aside to cool

Step 12

Once cooled grind all the ingredients in a spice grinder until all the dals and spices are ground into a coarse powder like texture

Step 13

You can optionally add some water to grind to a fine paste

Step 14

Once the powder is ready, the next step is to prepare the Varutharacha Sambar

Step 15

In a pressure cooker add in the tamarind water, turmeric powder, salt and all the vegetables

Step 16

Add a cup of water and cook until you hear two whistles

Step 17

Turn off the heat and allow the pressure to release naturally

Step 18

In a large sauce pan, combine the lentils, the cooked vegetables in tamarind water and the sambar powder

Step 19

Stir to combine all the ingredients well

Step 20

Check for the salt and spice levels and adjust according to taste

Step 21

You can also adjust the consistency of the sambar by adding water if you like it thinner

Step 22

Turn the heat on medium and begin to simmer the Varutharacha Sambar for about 5 to 6 minutes

Step 23

While the sambar is simmering, we will now get the seasoning ready

Step 24

Heat coconut oil in a small pan; add in the mustard seeds and allow it to crackle

Step 25

Add finely sliced pearl onions and saute until they turn soft and light brown in colour

Step 26

Add the dry red chillies and curry leaves and fry for a few seconds until the red chillies are roasted

Step 27

This will take about 20 seconds

Step 28

Pour the seasoning over the simmering Varutharacha Sambar and garnish with chopped coriander leaves

Step 29

Turn off the heat and keep the sambar covered for about 10 to 15 minutes before you serve

Step 30

Serve Varutharacha Sambar along with Carrot and Beans Thoran, Steamed Rice and Elai Vadam for a weekday meal

Step 31

Note:1

Step 32

Coconut oil enhances the flavour of the curry and lifts it to a whole new level

Step 33

For health benefits, I tend to use a lesser quantity of coconut oil in my cooking

Step 34

I avoided using coconut oil while frying the spices and grated coconut for the ground mixture