Sambhar Rice
Sambhar Rice is a flavorful and nutritious South Indian dish that combines aromatic spices with lentils and vegetables, served over fluffy rice. This dairy-free meal is perfect for a hearty brunch, bringing together a medley of tastes and textures.

45 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)
- Sambhar powder - 2 tablespoons
- Turmeric powder - 1/2 teaspoon
- Mustard seeds - 1 teaspoon
- Cumin seeds - 1 teaspoon
- Dried red chilies - 2
- Curry leaves - 10
- Vegetable oil - 2 tablespoons
- Onion - 1 medium, chopped
- Tomato - 1 medium, chopped
- Carrot - 1 small, diced
- Green beans - 1/2 cup, chopped
- Salt - to taste
- Fresh coriander leaves - for garnish
Steps
- Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in water for 20 minutes, then drain.
- In a pressure cooker or pot, add the toor dal with 2 cups of water, turmeric powder, and a pinch of salt. Cook until the dal is soft, about 10-15 minutes in a pressure cooker or 25-30 minutes in a pot.
- In a separate pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the soaked basmati rice along with a pinch of salt. Cook for about 15 minutes or until the rice is fluffy and water is absorbed. Set aside.
- In a pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Then add cumin seeds, dried red chilies, and curry leaves; sauté for a minute.
- Add the chopped onions and sauté until they turn translucent. Then add the chopped tomatoes and cook until soft.
- Stir in the diced carrot and green beans, cooking for an additional 5 minutes.
- Add the cooked toor dal to the vegetable mixture along with sambhar powder and adjust salt to taste. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, adding water if necessary to reach desired consistency.
- To serve, place a portion of rice on a plate and top with the sambhar. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
Nutrition
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 15 g
- Carbs: 75 g
- Fiber: 12 g
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Total Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Water: 0.5 L
Health Benefits
- Rich in protein and fiber from lentils, promoting digestive health.
- Packed with vitamins and minerals from a variety of vegetables, supporting overall well-being.
Tags
IndianDairy-FreeBrunch