South Indian cooks are revered for their sambar cooking expertise and therefore homemakers and cooks around the world try to imitate the traditional South Indian sambar recipes. Different people have invented their own sambar recipes by experimenting with various ingredients, vegetables, spices, and herbs. However, the most used ingredients are dal, curry leaves, cumin, tamarind, coriander powder, black pepper, etc.
Sambar is usually served in the first course of a meal and is mostly eaten with plain rice. You can also have it with South Indian breakfast dishes such as idlis, dosas, utthappam, and much more. However, sambars do not go well with rotis and naans.
A perfect sambar is the one which tastes surreal and has a fresh aroma. It tastes the best when served hot and some people also like to have it with ghee and rice. Also, if you order a South Indian thali (dish) in any restaurant or hotel, then the whole authenticity of the dish will depend on the sambar.
Onions, tomatoes, brinjals, chickpeas, etc. are some of the commonly used veggies in the sambar recipes. Tamarind, grated coconut and drumstick are the key ingredients of an authentic South Indian sambar without which it is impossible to get that perfect taste.
Some sambar recipes also require buttermilk as an ingredient but you have to be careful while using it as overuse can spoil the entire taste and texture of your sambar. Sambars are not only delicious and aromatic but they are also packed with vital nutrients and vitamins. Therefore, you must include them in your diet without worrying about anything.
You might relish a bowl of sambar in a typical South Indian hotel or restaurant but the freshness of the veggies and ingredients used in them cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, it is advisable to enjoy homemade sambar with your relatives and friends.