Looking for a quick sambar without soaking or cooking dal? This no dal sambar is perfect for busy mornings. It’s an instant tiffen sambar that pairs beautifully with idli, dosa, or even rice. Despite having no dal, it’s full of flavour, slightly thick, and absolutely satisfying.
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🛒 Ingredients
To roast & grind
• 1 tsp oil
• 1 tbsp coriander seeds
• 1 tbsp pottukadalai (roasted gram)
• 6 dried red chillies
• 2 Byadgi chillies (for colour)
• ½ tsp cumin seeds
• 2 tbsp coconut
• 10–15 small onions (shallots)
• 1 small tomato
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For the sambar
• Oil
• Mustard seeds
• A pinch of fenugreek seeds
• A pinch of hing
• 15 small onions
• 1 small tomato
• 1 green chilli
• Drumsticks (cut)
• Curry leaves
• Turmeric powder
• 1–2 tbsp tamarind pulp
• ¼ tsp jaggery
• Salt to taste
• Coriander leaves
• 1 tsp ghee (optional, for finishing)
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👨🍳 Step-by-Step Procedure
Step 1: Roast & grind
Heat 1 tsp oil in a pan. Add coriander seeds, pottukadalai, red chillies, Byadgi chillies, and cumin seeds.
Add coconut, small onions, and tomato. Roast everything well until aromatic and slightly golden.
Let it cool completely, then grind into a smooth paste using a little water.
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St 2: Prepare the base
Heat oil in a kadai. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
Add fenugreek seeds and a pinch of hing.
Add small onions, drumsticks, curry leaves, and green chilli. Sauté well for a few minutes.
Step 3: Cook the vegetables
Add chopped tomato and turmeric powder. Cook until the tomatoes turn soft and mushy.
Pour water and let everything boil well until the drumsticks are cooked well.
Step 4: Add ground paste
Add the prepared ground paste to the kadai.
Rinse the mixer jar with water and add that as well (this adds extra flavour).
Let it cook well until the raw smell disappears.
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Step 5: Add tamarind & finish
Add tamarind pulp, salt, and a pinch of jaggery.
Let the sambar boil well so all flavours combine.
Adjust consistency by adding water as needed.
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Step 6: Final touch
Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
Add 1 tsp ghee for an enhanced flavour (optional but recommended).
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💡 Tips for Best Taste
• Roast ingredients well for deep flavour
• Don’t skip pottukadalai (fried grams)it gives thickness without dal
• Adjust water based on your preferred consistency
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🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve hot with:
• Idli
• Dosa
• Pongal
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