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Udupi Sambar

Udupi Sambar

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Udupi style sambar recipe
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Udupi Sambar
Recipe: Authentic Temple Style Karnataka Sambar

60 mins
Cooking Time
Intermediate
Difficulty
24
Ingredients
Veg
Diet
Udupi sambar recipe is a classic South Indian preparation that stands out for its comforting taste and the perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and mild spices. Each region has its own version, with some being more tangy, some slightly sweeter, and others having a spicier kick. Originating from the temple kitchens of Udupi in Karnataka, this sambar is also known as Devasthana sambar, meaning temple-style sambar. This recipe has a mild sweetness from yellow pumpkin, while tamarind adds a light tang that keeps the flavours well balanced. Made without onion or garlic, it reflects the simplicity and warmth of temple-style cooking, where food is prepared to be both nourishing and comforting. The heart of this dish lies in its freshly prepared masala, where everyday ingredients are carefully roasted to release their aroma. These roasted spices, lentils, coconut, and Byadagi chillies are then blended into a smooth paste, giving the sambar its rich colour and layered flavour. This sambar recipe focuses on a balanced, rounded flavour rather than sharp spice alone. A final drizzle of coconut oil tempering adds a distinct finish and a beautiful fragrance that brings everything together.

Ingredients

UNITSIngredients
200 gramsYellow Pumpkin (roughly chopped)
125 gramsAsh Gourd (roughly chopped)
2Green Brinjal (or regular brinjal)
1 mediumTomato
½ cupToor Dal
Lemon-sizedTamarind (soaked in ½ cup water)
2 sprigsCurry Leaves
2 tbspCoconut oil
2 tspSunflower Oil
1 tspMustard seeds
1 tspUrad Dal
½ tspAsafoetida
1.5 tbsp Powdered Jaggery
to tasteSalt
For Sambar Masala:
1 tspChanna Dal
1 tspUrad Dal
2 tspCoriander Seeds (Dhaniya)
6-7Byadagi Red Chillies
½ tspCumin Seeds (Jeera)
¼ tsp Fenugreek Seeds (Methi)
3 tspGrated Coconut
4-5Peppercorns
1 sprigCurry Leaves
1 tspOil

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Directions

Description - Step 1

Cook the Toor Dal

Pressure cook the toor dal with 1 cup water and a pinch of turmeric for about 5–6 whistles. Once cooked, mash it well until smooth and keep aside. This forms the base of your sambar.

Step 1
Cook the Toor Dal
15-20 Minutes
Step 2
Prepare the Sambar Masala
10 Minutes
Step 3
Cook the Vegetables
10-12 Minutes
Step 4
Add Tamarind & Masala
5 Minutes

FAQs

Udupi sambar differs by featuring a coconut-based spice paste, the absence of onion and garlic, and slight sweetness from jaggery, resulting in a smooth texture and distinctive taste.