For the second day of the Indian Thali series, I planned to post my own mini version of Ugadi Special. However, after thinking about it, I decided with almost the same dishes to present, with only one new dish, there wasn't much I was going to bring forth.
I was very happy that I was able to get my planned number of thalis all ready, just before the BM begins, leaving me unfretted and comfy to handle other things. Now that puts in spot and now I have to plan for another thali which will have to wait for the weekend!
Coming back to the post for today, it's a simple luncheon that was prepared during a weekday. It features a typical menu that's prepared at home and what we pack for lunch. Only this time we ended up coming home for lunch. The thali features a Sambar, with Vegetables on the side. As many of you know, there are so many variations in making a sambar. Though a basic sambar recipe is pretty much the same, with different vegetables it's prepared differently.
South Indian Simple Lunch Thali
The most important component in a Sambar that makes or breaks a Sambar, of course, is the Sambar Podi. This integral part of Tamil Cuisine is a delicious mix of lentils and spices. When it comes to the Sambars that we make at home, the best part has always been the fact that we use homemade Sambar powder.
Though Sambar is typically not part of the Andhra Thali, it has now come to be considered a common dish. The sambar powder /podi that Amma makes, is something that's been tweaked to our own taste, and trust me, it comes out simply delicious.
So there was never a reason for us to try Store bought sambar powder. For a period in between when Parents had gone overseas, I was forced to buy a ready mix packet, that still needed to be sent to the mill. It was passable. We always felt that we needed to come out of our arrogant thought that our Sambar powder was the best.
Kakarakaya Vepudu ~ Bitter Gourd Stir Fry
To prove that, for our share, we have tried store bought ready to use Sambar powders a couple of times, only to throw them right away. We finally gave up the thought and decided to carry on until we can with the grinding business. A couple of months ago, Aashirvaad circulated its new Sambar powder for customers to try. Deciding that it was high time we came out of our archaic thoughts, we tried and to our surprise, we actually liked the Sambar. Since then I always buy a packet for occasional use.
Amma was also subjected to the same experience and was asked to try out MTR Sambar powder recently. After tasting her Sambar, I agreed that it surely tastes great, I wanted to try it on Hubby dear too. So here's the Sambar with MTR Sambar mix with ground coconut garnish. It took the Sambar to a new level, I must agree!
Chow Chow Sambar ~ Chayote Squash Sambhar
Disclaimer: Please note that this is NOT a sponsored post. I am sharing our personal opinions.
On the Thali today, we had Chow Chow Sambar, Dal Rasam, Bitter Gourd Stir Fry, Plantain Stir fry, Curds. When we plan for Bitter gourd poriyal, there always has to be something for me as I don't eat that. Well for all the planning I thought I must change for my kids' sake, it can easily wait as they hardly eat much of a vegetable, let alone Bitter gourd!
I have already posted another version of Chow Chow sambar
Chow Chow Sambar
Ingredients Needed
Toor Dal - 1 cup
Chow Chow / - 1 medium
Tamarind extract - 1 marble size
Tomatoes - 2 medium
MTR Sambar powder - 1 & 1/2 tsp
Coconut paste - 1 tbsp
Turmeric powder a pinch
Salt to taste
Oil - 2 tsp
Coriander leaves few
Tempering
Mustard Seeds, Urad dal - 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves few
Dry Red Chilli - 2
Sambar Onion / Pearl Onions - 3 - 4
Asafetida / Hing a pinch
How to make the Chow Chow Sambar
Peel and cube the chow chow into 1 inch pieces.
Recipe
Chow Chow Sambar ~ South Indian Lunch Thali
Ingredients
- 1 cup Toor Dal
- 1 medium Chow Chow
- Tamarind Extract 1 marble size
- 2 medium Tomatoes
- 1 & 1/2 tsp MTR Sambar Powder
- 1 tbsp Coconut Paste
- A pinch Turmeric Powder
- Salt to taste
- 2 tsp Cooking Oil
- Coriander Leaves few
For Tempering
- 1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds + Urad dal
- Curry Leaves few
- 2 Dry Red Chillies
- 3 - 4 Sambar Onion / Pearl Onions
- A pinch Hing / Asafoetida
Instructions
How to make the Chow Chow Sambar
- Peel and cube the chow chow into 1 inch pieces.
- Soak the tamarind and extract the pulp. I normally store tamarind extract for easy usage.
- Wash and take the toor dal in a pressure cooker, along with the vegetables, chopped tomatoes, and turmeric powder. Pressure cook for 2 - 3 whistles or till the dal is cooked well.
- Once the pressure falls, remove the lid, add the salt, sambar powder, tamarind extract, and coconut paste along with enough water. Bring to a boil.
- Meanwhile, in another pan, heat the cooking oil. Add curry leaves, mustard seeds urad dal, dry red chilies, sauté well.
- Then, add chopped onions, add the hing, and when the onions turn colour, and pour this to the boiling dal.
- Simmer for a couple of minutes, add coriander leaves and remove.
DivyaGCP says
Delicious Thali..
As I read ur post,I can smell the sambhar and really want to have one..
Shobha says
Sambar with rice..nothing like it.
I also use MTR sambar masala...even the podi (MTR dal powder) is excellent.
Kalyani says
nice spread Valli 🙂 and I love chow chow sambhar a lot .. pity we dont get it a lot here 🙁 🙁
btw guess this post needs to be updated with BM tag Valli 🙂
Chef Mireille says
another beautiful presentation!
Harini-Jaya Rupanagudi says
I have also settled for MTR + homemade vangibath powder for our regular sambar but I always try out new combination of spices. Good spread!
vaishali sabnani says
Valli there is a store in Chennai which beats the MTR pwd..will give u the details...infact now I will have to ask you to send me some from there...with my daughter shifting here...
The platter looks very appealing and I am actually a S.Indaian fan...just loving it.
Usha says
I actually prefer pappu chaaru over sambar. I don't mind eating sambar once in a while but on a daily basis, pappu chaaru gets my vote. Awesome thali!
The Pumpkin Farm says
I used MTR for a while but then gave up as it lacked the flavor for the quantities it mentioned to be used. I have started using a new brand recently from kerala...but i wish to make my own sambhar masala0 know you have the posts for them..Chow chow sambhar is new to me...sounds like a chinese dish LoL...platter looks beautiful
Archana Vivek says
Great. Looks awesome
rekhas kitchen says
You know what I am a big fan of bittergourd I can enjoy that vege in any style.. good combination of curries in this thali Valli so inviting.
Priya dharshini says
Thali thali...its my fav thali..
Priya says
Personally i make my own sambhar powder and never tried any store bought till now,will ask my sister to send some MTR masala to give a try..FIngerlicking sambhar..
Preeti Garg says
love south food but never tried original flavor…..new to me chow chow shambhar..never heard
Jayanthi says
Kudos to you for preparing this thaali during a weekday....the spread looks awesome though I've never gotten a chance of trying a store bought sambar powder. I'll be mocked upon in the family if I do (Typical Tamilian with so much pride in home made sambar powder). Lovely Valli ...so comforting to see all the dishes.
vidhas says
Love this thali. We also have lunch like this. I also make my own sambhar powder, some times when i run short will use store bought.
Jayashree says
Though I have tried a few store bought sambar powders, I have never liked them. I usually have a huge stock of amma's home made sambar powder at home and if it's not there, I don't make sambar till I get the next batch from her 🙂
Rajani S says
The platter looks nice, easy on the tummy and very healthy too. I am surprised that you don't eat bitter gourd :)), i successfully bullied my husband to start having karelas :))
PriyaVaasu says
My hubby has tried Everest Sambhar powder during his bachelor days, sometimes ask me to try too!!! but i still don't have the guts to buy ready-made sambhar/rasam powder.
Thali looks delicious!!! And you not eating bittergourd, very bad girl!!!!
Rasi says
I have chow chow at home & i always make Kootu, now i think i will make Sambhar.. Even i use home made sambhar powder but i always keep a stock of store bought one.. a tsp or two of that & then adding ground spices..takes the dish to another level.. This time i am trying MTR else i always prefer aachi & shakti masala 🙂
Thali is simple & nice.. like u said our regular sunday affair..man we love food don't we 🙂
Gayathri Kumar says
Even I have never tried store bought sambar powder. You have tempted me into trying. The simple thali looks nice...
Aarthi says
sambar looks mouthwatering..My mom makes this sambar with radish
PJ says
Simple yet filling thali Srivalli. Here too mom makes her own sambar powder and I used to carry loads of it when I travel...
Suma Gandlur says
I too love MTR brand sambhar powder.
Yummy thali. It sure looks like the food prepared regularly at my home. 🙂