Yesterday I made cheera sambhar, usually during Sunday menu sambhar will be there as main curry dish along with other sides dish and rice. My hubby love sambhar, and during his bachelor days he often made this spinach sambhar, some time he makes broccoli sambhar too. After marriage I tried spinach sambhar but not yet got courage to try his second version of sambhar. Amma usually makes mixed vegetable sambhar as well as with shallots, trust me the second one is most tasty.
It is one of the common curries all over south India. They make their presence during breakfast, lunch and dinner. I make spinach rice whenever I get the spinach, this time hubby told me to make spinach sambhar, may be he was missing it for long time.
Standing for long time is becoming a hard task for me. My back hurts like hell; sitting for a long time is also a tough choice for me. Cooking dishes for a long time has become a herculean task, I will be happy if I can make one side dish, curry and rice. What else you can expect in the later stages of pregnancy, night sleep means waking every hour for peeing intervals.
Coming back to cheera sambhar it is one of easy dish you can prepare if you have sambhar powder in your hand. I make this sambhar slightly different than the other version. Here I used to fry the onion first and then wilt the spinach and then boil with tamarind juice. When it starts boiling, add sambhar powder and then add cooked toor dal or split pigeon peas to it. According my hubby’s request I boiled a potato along with toor dal and added to this. Finally seasoned sambhar with curry leaves, mustard seeds, red chilies and asafetodia.
This is ultimate combo of iron and protein rich curry. About spinach and lentil you know to health benefits, I don’t need to repeat it. Try this one if you want change in your daily routine meal. Here goes the recipe.
One year ago : Pain Aux Amandes/ Almond bread
Two year ago : Mutter paneer/ Green peas cooked with paneer cheese
Print recipe from here
What you need
Spinach: 1 bunch( wash thoroughly in running hot water and chopped fine)
Onion: ½ cup( Chopped finely)
Potato: 1 no
Toor dal/ split pigeon peas: ½ cup
Olive oil: 1 tablespoon
Sambhar powder: 1 tablespoon ( I used store bought one)
Salt: 1 teaspoon or to taste
Tamarind: small ping pong size ball
Turmeric powder: ¼ teaspoon
Curry leaves: 1 sprig
Curry leaves: 1 sprig
Mustard seeds: ¼ teaspoon
Asafetodia: ¼ teaspoon
Red chilies: 2 no
Water: 2 ¼ cups
How I made
In a pressure cooker , cook toor dal and potato with 2 cups of water for about 3 whistles or 15 minutes and set aside.
In a medium sauce pot heat 1 teaspoon of oil and add chopped onion and let if fry for 6 minutes or until they become translucent or change color. To this add chopped spinach turmeric and salt and let it wilt for about 2 minutes. In the mean time extract juice from tamarind with ¼ cup of water and set aside.
Then add tamarind juice and bring to a boil to this add sambhar powder and again let it boil for a 2 minutes. To this add cooked toor dal and potato and mix everything. Bring to boil again. In the mean time in a small skillet add rest of oil mustard seeds, red chilies, asafetodia and curry leaves. Once mustard seeds starts
popping switch off and add it to curry.
Enjoy with rice and other side dish.
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Yield: 6 serving
Verdict: Yummy
Will you make it again: Yes I will
I am linking this healthy curry to Hearth and Soul blog hop: 76 hosted here
This is Swathi ( Dr. Ambujom Saraswathy Ph.D) from Zesty South Indian Kitchen who loves to explore cuisines from all over the world. Whenever possible I try to to give an Indian touch to several of the world cuisine, and has weakness for freshly baked bread. All the recipes you see here are created by me and approved after taste-test by my family.
JishasKitchen says
wow..very delicious and tempting sambar..I love adding spinach to my sambar and dal curry...:)
♥peachkins♥ says
It looks like something I'd dip some bread into!
Shaheen says
You knwo whenever i see lentils my heart warms, this is really comfort food for me.
Peggy says
This looks like a lovely and healthy curry Swathi!
Alea Milham says
This looks delicious and hearty! Thank you for sharing this recipe with the Hearth and Soul Hop and thank your for hosting.
Vardhini says
Love spinach .. comforting dish.
Vardhini
Event: Sinful Delights
Event: Stuffed Paratha
Miriam says
Mmm, that looks wonderful :), Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters
Joanne says
Wow, this dish is a flavor and nutritional all-star!
jayarajmurukkumpuzha says
nannayittundu.............. PLS VISIT MY BLOG AND SUPPORT A SERIOUS ISSUE..............
Reeni says
Packed with flavor and so healthy and delicious! You all must be getting excited for your new bundle of joy!
Rebecca from Chow and Chatter says
love sambhar this looks wonderful wheres the idly
Elisabeth says
Such a beautiful, delicious, and comforting dish, Swathi...love the texture, and the flavor!
Miriam says
Feel better soon!!! The lentils sound wonderful :), Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters
vineetha says
Cheer sambar is a great idea..I will try this too...how r u dear ?? I can imagine what u r going through ..is somebody going to come there to help u when baby comes??
Tina says
delicious sambar..
Shanavi says
Comforting sambar Swathi..YUM
Prathibha says
very comforting curry..yumm
lata raja says
Take care Swathi...have loads of rest and mild exercise....
Eat more such healthy dishes...love your keerai sambhar.
Swathi says
Sadhana,
my baby due in January. Yes my princess is excited
Sensible Vegetarian says
Lovely one Swathi and the header looks awesome. Congrats on the good news and when is the baby due and I am sure your elder one should be all excited to have a sibling.
Ameya says
Love it-simple and delicious!!
divya says
Slurp,salivating here, irresistible curry.
San says
Special curry which i always look forward to have it wirh some rice, ghee and papad.
Sobha Shyam says
healthy and delicious..
tigerfish says
I love sambhar too! It comforts me, all seasons 🙂
Tina (PinayInTexas) says
Your Spicy Spinach and Lentil Curry sounds very appetizing!
Btw, I love your new header!
Rosita Vargas says
Me encantan éstos ricos ingredientes lucen absolutamente deliciosos,very very nice,abrazos hugs,hugs.
garlutti says
Hi Swathi, I made somethig similar but with others ingredients, this is very healthy and yummy.
Congrats for the new look of your blog.
Greetings.
Marimi
Kristy Lynn says
this looks so pretty - a perfect fall/winter dish, no? my partner would just adore this! In fact, we have a potluck coming up...hmmmm..
Mary says
This sounds so interesting, but it is pure comfort food. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary
El Oteador de los Mercados says
I think I've said on other occasions: I love that mastery in the use of spices. The recipe is very tasty.
Suja says
Love spinch sambar..comfort dish,adipoli aayitundu
Rani acharyulu says
Nice to see new look in your blog,healthy sambar looks yummy..i liked the twist of adding potato in this recipe.
Kaveri says
Hey Swathi, is that header new? It looks good..lovely sambar
Herbs & Flowers: Spring Onions
Priya says
Super comforting sambhar,prefect to enjoy with hot steaming rice and papads.
Babli says
Very healthy and yummy dish. Wonderful presentation.
Chitra says
I love this. nice clicks 🙂
Sushma Mallya says
I love spinach ...looks very delicious and yummy!
Aruna Manikandan says
looks healthy and delicious 🙂
Renata says
I have finally bought some red lentils and I'm trying to decide which yummy dish I will be using them for. I got some spinach too, so maybe this is going to be the one! Looks delicious!
Treat and Trick says
Healthy and yummy as well!
http://treatntricl.blogspot.com
Sharmilee! :) says
Healthy comforting and yummy curry