Recipes

Mango Sambar

February 18, 2019 by Senthil Sadasivam Recipe rating:
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I have yet to come across a person who is not a fan of mangoes!

In Tamil culture, mango is considered the queen of all fruits and tops the ranking list, followed by jack fruit and banana in the #2 and #3 positions. If you are a Tamilian, you also would have heard the phrase “Ma, Pala, Vazhai“, which means “Mango, Jack fruit and Banana” (list of “royal” fruits, in the order specified).

There is also a saying in Tamil – “Mathaa ootatha sotrai mangani ootuvaal“. Here is the translation – “The food (meal) that a mother cannot make her kids to eat, a mango fruit will!”.  Yes, this tropical fruit is served as a popular side accompaniment to Indian meals, and if you have not tried that combination yet, please do so.

There are so many recipes when you talk about mangoes.  In today’s blog, I will share a star recipe (and a family favorite) from Senthil’s Kitchen – Mango Sambar! I make this at least once in a month as we like it so much. Mango sambar goes well with rice and a spicier side dish. Please try this recipe at least one time, and you will thank me so much!

Mango Sambar
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Mango Sambar

Mango Sambar is one of the most flavorful and delicious recipes where the tangy raw green mango is cooked with dal and other spices.

Course Side Dish
Cuisine Indian
Keyword Mango, Mango Dal, Mango Sambar, Sambar
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 people
Author Senthil Sadasivam

Ingredients

  • 1 Green Mango cut into big pieces
  • 2 tbsp Sambar powder Sambar powder substitute given below

To pressure cook dal

  • 1 cup Tool dal
  • 1 Tomato
  • 4 cloves Garlic
  • 1 tsp Turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp Hing powder
  • 1 tsp Sesame oil

For tadka

  • 1/2 tbsp Mustard seeds
  • 1/2 tbsp Methi seeds
  • 1/2 tbsp Jeera seeds
  • 1 Red chili
  • 1 sprig Curry leaves
  • 1 cup Onion (or shallots) sliced
  • 1 Green chili sliced

Sambar powder substitute

  • 1 tbsp Chili powder
  • 1/2 tbsp Coriander powder

To garnish

  • 1/4 cup Coriander leaves chopped

Instructions

  1. Wash and pressure cook dal for three whistles with 1 tomato, 4 cloves garlic, 1 tsp each turmeric powder, hing powder and sesame oil with three cups water.  Mash the dal and keep it separate.
  2. On a big pot, heat oil and add mustard seeds.  When they splutter, add methi seeds and let them brown slightly.  Quickly add jeera seeds, and after few seconds, add 1 red chili and fry for some time.  Add curry leaves, then sliced onion and green chili and fry well.
  3. Add enough water, mango pieces, 2 tbsp. sambar powder, salt and mix well and cover and cook for about 10 mins.
  4. Add mashed dal to the pot, mix well, adjust salt level and cover and cook for another 10 mins or until the mangoes are soft and almost about to break.

  5. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and enjoy with hot rice, homemade ghee, a spicy side dish fry (Potato, Plantain or Suran) and a papad!

Recipe Notes

  • Tamarind is not needed as the sambar will be tangy due to the sourness of the mango.

 

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