Arachuvitta Sambar - Instant Pot and Stovetop

What is Sambar

Sambhar or Sambar is a thick stew prepared with tamarind, veggies, and lentils. It's mainly prepared in the South of India and every region has a different version of the recipe. However, I recently got to know that sambar was discovered in Maharashtra (west of India).

According to this story, the dish was accidentally invented by the Maratha ruler Sambhaji, who added tamarind while making Dal Soup, when his head chef was away. I was blown away by this story as this completely changed the way I viewed sambhar and the way I owned it in front of my non-South Indian friends. 

One main ingredient required to make sambhar is called Sambar powder. We always make this spice powder at home. It's very easy! Though we all follow the same recipe, when my mom/MIL/aunt makes it, it somehow tastes different and better. Whenever I get a chance, I request them to make a batch and send it over to me. However, we use this sambhar powder not just to make sambar. We add it to curries like Crispy Raw Banana/Plantain Fry Recipe, Potato Fry, and Pumpkin Kootu/Stews. 

But yes, the recipe for sambar is incomplete without this spice powder. For those who are unable to make it at home, do not fret. This is easily available in any Indian grocery store. There are many kinds of sambar but the two main varieties are plain sambhar and arachuvitta sambar. The only difference is that arachuvitta sambar is prepared with freshly ground spiced coconut paste instead of sambhar powder. 

The meaning of this Tamil word 'Arachuvitta' is ground masala. The true essence of this stew lies in the ground masala paste. That is what gives this sambhar its aromatic and lip-smacking flavor. Sambar and Rasam are considered to be TamBrahm specialties! Growing up, I used to have these every Sunday! It's also prepared for special occasions, family get-togethers, marriages, etc. 

Sambar recipe varies from house to house

It's about time I let this family recipe out of the bag and share it with the world! This is no ordinary sambar recipe, it has been in my family for generations and we still make it the same way. For those who are wondering what a sambar is, it's a lentil-based lentil stew that is cooked in tamarind broth. You can add veggies to this sambar recipe to make it more hearty and delicious. Although, there is no need to mix a variety of veggies as we do in Avial. 

I am sharing two ways to make Arachuvitta sambhar. One is on the stovetop which is the traditional way and the other is the modern way which is in the Instant Pot. But irrespective of whether you're making it on the Instant Pot or Stovetop, 2 steps need to be done as part of the prep. 

First, you will need tamarind juice. If you're using ready tamarind pulp/paste, then no prep is required. The quantity will depend upon the thickness and sourness of the tamarind paste. But if using fresh tamarind, soak a lemon-sized ball in warm water for 15 minutes. Extract the juice by pressing the tamarind between your fingers and strain the liquid in a sieve. Preserve the liquid and discard the tamarind. 

And second, you will need to make the freshly ground masala which I have explained in steps 2, 3, and 4

1. Soak toor dal in a bowl for 15 minutes. This step is only needed if you are cooking Sambhar in the Instant Pot. 
2. To prepare the arachuvitta masala, heat oil in a pan or pot, and once it's hot, roast urad dal, chana dal, coriander seeds, coconut, and dried red chilies on a medium flame. Chef Tip - Be careful to not burn the ingredients. Once the coconut and chana dal turns light golden and releases an aroma, take it off the flame. 
3. Allow it to cool down and then transfer it to a Mixer Grinder.
4. Add 3-4 tablespoons of water and blitz to make a smooth paste. Keep this paste aside for now. 

I have stopped making it the traditional way ever since I discovered that sambhar tastes the same when made in the Instant Pot minus the effort. 

Instant Pot

1. Turn on the Instant Pot in saute mode, add oil, and then add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, and asafoetida, and fry for 10 seconds.
2. Then add the chopped tomatoes, eggplants, and slit green chilly. Saute till the veggies turn soft. 
3. Add the sambhar powder, tamarind pulp, and soaked toor dal. Mix it all together. 
4. Now add the ground paste to the pot. Mix and saute for a minute.
5. Next, add water along with salt. Turn off the Instant Pot and close the lid. Cook in manual/pressure mode for 8 minutes. Release pressure naturally.
6. Then open the lid, and garnish with chopped cilantro. Instant Pot Sambhar is done!

Stovetop

• Refer to the steps above to make the arachuvitta sambar masala. This step is the same irrespective of whether you are making it on the stovetop or Instant Pot.
• For lentils, there is no need to soak the toor dal before cooking it. Instead, just rinse them and boil/pressure cook toor dal them in water along with turmeric powder.
• Once it's done, mash them. It should not be runny but have a thick batter-like consistency. Keep it aside for now. 
• Add water to a vessel. Then add the tamarind pulp or tamarind water along with salt, sambhar powder, asafoetida, turmeric powder, tomatoes, and eggplants. 
• Bring to a boil on medium flame. Then add the freshly ground paste mix and continue to cook it for 7-8 more minutes on medium flame.
• The veggies will get cooked and the mixture will begin to froth and thicken. That is your cue to add the mashed toor dal to the vessel. 
• Give it a good stir and take the vessel off the flame after 2 minutes. Do not cook it for long after adding the lentils. Garnish with chopped cilantro. 

Serving Suggestions 🍽 

There are many ways to serve this South Indian Arachuvitta sambar. This is an ideal sambar for rice. Just mix in a few ladles of sambar with rice and enjoy sambhar rice along with some kootu, poriyal, or potato curry and appalam/papad! 

The traditional way to serve it is - first add rice, pour ghee on top, add a spoonful of mashed lentils, and then add a couple of ladles of sambhar over it. All of this is then mixed with hands and then eaten! 

The other popular combo is Idli Sambhar or Vada Sambhar. Place some idlis/vadas on a plate and pour hot sambhar on top! Yum! It also serves delicious with Ven Pongal all kinds of Dosa or Adai. I love to add a spoonful over curd rice too. 

Top recipe tips 💭

Instead of roasting the spices in a pan, you can also sun dry them until crisp and then grind them. If you grind the spice mix without water, in a dry form, you can store the leftovers in the fridge. 

Adjust the amount of water depending on the quantity and consistency you want. You can also use mild vegetable stock instead of water. You can make this sambhar recipe without adding ground coconut paste. It will just taste like a regular hotel sambar.

You can also follow this Beetroot Rasam Rice recipe and make Sambhar Rice in the Instant Pot. 

Recipe FAQs 📖