By Shreya Sarpal
December 7, 2025
Sambar dal is a heartwarming South Indian lentil curry made with toor dal, mixed vegetables, and tangy tamarind. Spiced and finished with mustard and curry leaf tadka, it’s a comforting bowl of flavour, warmth, and homely goodness.
½ cup toor dal 1 small sliced onion 1 chopped tomato 1–1½ cups mixed veggies (carrot, drumstick, pumpkin, beans) 1 tsp turmeric 1 tbsp sambar powder 1 tsp tamarind paste Salt Mustard seeds, curry leaves, red chilli, hing (for tempering)
Pressure-cook toor dal with turmeric until soft, then mash well.
Boil veggies in water with salt and tomato until half-cooked.
Add sambar powder, tamarind, and the cooked dal and simmer 7-8 mins.
Heat oil, add mustard, red chilli, curry leaves, and hing.
Pour tadka into the sambar and boil once.
Serve hot with rice, idlis, and dosa.