How to Make Sambar Powder

Sambar powder is a common ingredient found in southern East Indian cooking. It is used in preparing the staple items of the Indian diet, such as mixed vegetables, lentils, lentil doughnuts, rice, rice cakes and rice crepes. Sambar, also referred to as sambaar and sambhar masala, is actually a mixture of spices that are roasted and ground together into powder.

Things You'll Need

• 10 dried red chilies
• 6 tbsps. coriander seed
• 2 tbsps. cumin seed
• 1 1/2 tbsp. ground turmeric
• 2 tsp. black pepper
• 2 tsp. fenugreek
• 2 tsp. white split beans (urad dal or dhal lentils)
• 2 tsp. yellow spit peas (channa dal or dhal lentils)
• 2 tsp. mung dal (or dhal)
• 1/2 to 1 tsp. cinnamon (optional)
• 5 to 7 dried curry leaves (optional)
• Non-stick frying pan
• Airtight container

Instructions

1. Remove the seeds and stalks from the chilies. Discard the seeds and stalks.

2. Combine all the sambar ingredients except the ground turmeric in a non-stick frying pan. Dry roast the chilies, spices and lentils over low to medium heat until they are toasted. Be careful not to let them burn or char as this ruins the flavor of the sambar.

3. Transfer the toasted sambar spice ingredients into a grinder and grind into a fine powder.

4. Add the ground turmeric to the ground spices and mix thoroughly.

5. Store the sambar powder in an air tight container.

Tips & Warnings

• Shop at an Indian grocery store for any of the spices or lentils you don't recognize or can't find in your regular grocery store.

• Sambar powder is carried ready-made in Indian grocery stores. A popular brand is 777.