Karnataka Sambar Rice
Karnataka Sambar Rice is a wholesome and flavorful dish made with lentils, vegetables, and a unique blend of spices, served over rice. This dairy-free meal is not only comforting but also packed with nutrients, making it a perfect choice for a healthy dinner.

40 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Indian
450 kcal
Ingredients
- Basmati rice - 1 cup
- Toor dal (split pigeon peas) - 1/2 cup
- Water - 4 cups (for cooking dal and rice)
- Mixed vegetables (carrot, beans, potato) - 1 cup, chopped
- Onion - 1 medium, finely chopped
- Tomato - 1 medium, chopped
- Sambar powder - 2 tablespoons
- Turmeric powder - 1/2 teaspoon
- Mustard seeds - 1 teaspoon
- Curry leaves - 10 leaves
- Oil (cooking oil or coconut oil) - 1 tablespoon
- Salt - to taste
- Fresh coriander leaves - for garnish
Steps
- Rinse the toor dal under running water until the water runs clear. In a pressure cooker, add the rinsed dal, 2 cups of water, turmeric powder, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 3-4 whistles or until soft and mushy. Set aside.
- In another pot, rinse the basmati rice and soak it in water for 15 minutes. After soaking, drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent.
- Add chopped tomatoes and cook until they soften. Then, add the mixed vegetables and sauté for a few minutes.
- Stir in the cooked toor dal, sambar powder, and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes. Adjust salt to taste.
- In a separate pot, cook the soaked basmati rice with 1.5 cups of water. Bring it to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed and rice is fluffy.
- Once both the sambar and rice are ready, serve the hot sambar over the rice. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
Nutrition
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 15 g
- Carbs: 75 g
- Fiber: 12 g
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Total Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Water: 0.5 L
Health Benefits
- Rich in protein from toor dal, supporting muscle health.
- Contains a variety of vegetables, providing essential vitamins and minerals.
Tags
IndianDairy-FreeRice Dish