Although I realise the actual version requires coconut and freshly ground and powdered spices, etc, that's not a very weeknight-friendly recipe. I have tried that a couple of times but the sheer time it takes to peel the shallots itself is a turn-off.
Anyway, here's how I make mine, the easy, quick version of Sambar Sadam made in a pressure cooker.
Bisi Bele Bath / Sambar Sadam Recipe
Serves 2-3
Preparation time - 15 mins
Special utensil needed - pressure cookerWhat I Use:
Rice - 1.5 cups
I use ponni or basmati but the regular rice you use every day will work just fine.
Toor / tuvar / kandi pappu / pigeon peas - ¾ to 1 cup
Tamarind - a marble-sized ball or 2 tablespoon tamarind paste
Chopped vegetables - 1.5 cups
You can use any vegetables you have in hand like French beans, carrots, potatoes, peas, tomatoes, drumstick, capsicum, etc.
Shallots - 6 (optional)
Green chillies - 2
Sambar powder - 1.5 to 2 tbsp
Hing / Asafoetida / Perungayam - ½ tsp
Turmeric powder - a pinchFor tempering:
Oil - 1 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Curry leaves - a few
Shallots - 2, sliced thin (optional)How to make Sambar Sadam in a Pressure Cooker:
1. Add 1 cup warm water to the tamarind and extract juice. Discard pulp. If using tamarind paste, dissolve it in 1 cup water without any lumps.
2. Heat oil for tempering in the pressure cooker pan and add the rest of the ingredients. Fry the shallots for tempering, if using, until golden brown. Then add the hing, green chillies, turmeric and sambar powder and mix well for 10 seconds.
3. Add all the ingredients and sufficient water. To cook the rice I use every day, the ratio of rice:water is 1:2. Since I have used 1.5 cups rice here, I need 3 cups water in total. Tamarind juice is in 1 cup water so I added approximately 2 more cups of water to the cooker. Its fine if its slightly more than that.
4. Cook for 3 whistles. If you like your sambar sadam a bit mushy, then cook for 4 whistles and make sure you add slightly more water than specified above.
5. Wait till pressure leaves and serve hot with vadaam / chips / appalam and raita / curd.
Swapna
Nags...your sambar sadam looks yummy....an award for you in my blog...please accept that.... 🙂
jayasri
hi nags, its quite sometime i did BBB, your bowl of sambhar sadam is so tempting, pictures beautiful as always and looks delicious
lissie
I am not a fan of sambar sadam, but your version sounds delicious! beautiful pictures!
Vicky Xavier.
Bisibele bath looks delicious with a plantain leaf plate back ground. Lovely snap.
Moreover I am hosting an event called 'The potluck - chicken' . It is my first time to host one. Expecting your suggestions , support and yummy dishes . Hearty welcome dear.
http://elitefoods.blogspot.com/2009/05/announcing-event-express-potluck.html
Thanks.
Lena Rashmin Raj
hai...sambar sadam looks delicious..wen i was doin my engineerin frm coimbatore, dis was d main dish v get frm hostel..i just love it..surely i wl giv a try 🙂
Sushma
a very nutritious & comfort food indeed. loved the pictures. Also looking forward for your next session on food photography series
Soma
A comfort food in a very beautiful bowl:-D
Madhumathi
I love BBB.Yours look very quick n easy.Nice bowl 🙂
Marta
I LOVE one-pot-meals, they make life so easy! This on in particular looks great, with all the veg and spices this is a treat to the eyes and the tummy 🙂
bee
this looks easy and very delicious. i'll try it with rasam powder or kootu podi. i don't have sambar powder.