Sambar Rice

Ingredients

Instructions

1. 01

   Add the rice and toor dal to a bowl and wash them 3 times with fresh water, gently rubbing the grains between your fingers. Drain well after the final rinse.

2. 02

   Transfer the washed rice, toor dal, and vegetables of your choice to the Instant Pot.

3. 03

   Add the water, salt, turmeric, coriander powder, and red chili powder. Stir well.

4. 04

   Close the lid, set the valve to Sealing, and cook on Pressure Cook (High) for 6 minutes.

5. 05

   Allow the pressure to release naturally for about 10 minutes, then carefully release any remaining pressure.

6. 06

   Open the lid and mash the rice, dal, and vegetables well using the back of a ladle or a potato masher. Add a little hot water if needed to reach your desired consistency.

7. 07

   Meanwhile, prepare the tempering. Heat the ghee in a small pan over medium heat. Add the mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add the cumin seeds, chana dal, and urad dal, and sauté until the dals turn lightly golden.

8. 08

   Stir in the curry leaves and a pinch of hing. Add the sambar powder and sauté for a few seconds until fragrant.

9. 09

   Pour in the tamarind juice and a little water. Let the mixture simmer for 2 - 3 minutes so the raw flavor of the tamarind cooks away.

10. 10

    Pour the tempering into the Instant Pot and switch to Sauté (Low). Mix everything well and let the sambar rice simmer for 3 - 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine.

11. 11

    Garnish with a dollop of ghee before serving.

12. 12

    This hearty one-pot sambar rice is a complete meal on its own. It also pairs wonderfully with papad, pickle, plain yogurt.