Arachu Vitta Sambar

- Submitted by Dahlia

(Idi Sambar, Arachu Vitta Sambar, Varuthu Aracha Sambhar, Kalyana Sambhar, Tamil Brahmin style Sambhar)

Arachuvitta Sambhar, also called Idi Sambar is a very traditional way of preparing sambar. It is still followed in restaurants to get its unbeatable taste. It is the same sambhar that is served in Tamil Brahmin weddings.

As the name means, it is made with a blend of freshly ground spices. This aromatic spices gives it an aroma and taste that is just incomparable with the usual sambhar made with stored bought sambhar powder. It is a little time consuming but totally worth the effort.

Try this outstanding recipe and enjoy for your next meal.

Recipe For Arachu Vitta Sambar

Preparation Time : 20 minutes
Cooking Time : 20 minutes
Serves : 4-6

Ingredients

• Toor dal - 1/3 cup (or 1 cup cooked dal)
• Tamarind - lime sized
• Sambhar Onions (Pearl Onions) - 10-12
• Mixed Vegetables - about 1 cup (I used 1 tomato, 3-4 drumstick pieces, 1 brinjal cut into pieces, 1/2 radish and 1/2 carrot. You could also use potato, double beans, pumpkin etc. This sambhar tastes good without adding any vegetables too. It is then referred to as Vengaya Sambhar.)
• Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
• Salt - to taste

To Roast And Grind

• Coriander Seeds - 1 tbsp
• Channa dal - 2 tsp
• Dry Red Chilies - 4
• Fenugreek seeds - 1/8 tsp
• Grated Coconut  - 2 tbsp

For Tempering

• Oil/Ghee - 1 tbsp
• Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
• Fenugreek seeds - 1/8 tsp
• Asafoetida - a pinch
• Curry Leaves - 5

Preparations

1. Soak the tamarind in some water. Extract the juice and keep it ready.
2. Chop and vegetables into uniform sized pieces and keep it ready.
3. Pressure cook the toor dal till it turns soft and mushy.
4. Heat a pan on low flame and roast the channa dal. After giving it a 10 second head start, add the coriander seeds and fry red chilies.
5. Keep roasting till the dal changes color to golden brown. Add the fenugreek seeds and grated coconut. Switch off.
6. Cool it and coarsely grind it. Keep this masala powder ready.

Method

1. Heat oil in a kadai and add the mustard seeds. When it starts popping, add the fenugreek seeds, asafoetida and curry leaves.
2. Add the onions and saute for a minute. Add the vegetables and saute for 1 minute.
3. Add the tamarind juice, turmeric powder and some salt. Cook till the vegetables become soft.
4. Now add the cooked dal, the powdered spice blend and about 1 cup of water.
5. Boil it and let it simmer on low flame for about 5 minutes. The consistency of the sambhar is a little thicker but be careful not to make it very thick. Add water as needed.
6. Switch off. Arachu vitta sambar is ready to be served

Serving Suggestion

• Enjoy this tasty sambhar with white rice, pongal, idli or dosa.

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