Sambar rice is a popular one-pot rice dish made with rice, dal, and vegetables mixed together with homemade (amma made) sambar powder.

Many people mistake sambar rice for Bisi bele bath, but they are not the same.

Bisi bele bath has a slight sweetness and uses additional Indian spices like cinnamon, poppy seeds, and nutmeg. 

But here for sambar rice there is no need for for any additional spices or roasting pulses as we use sambar powder. As it made in pressure cooker, it just takes 30mins to make it from scratch.

Generally, for our daily meals (lunch/dinner), we eat hot, steamed rice mixed with sambar but Sometimes, for a quick one-pot meal I love to make this delicious one too!

Sambar rice is typically served with papad and onion raitha, but can also be enjoyed with crisps or fried potatoes on the side.

Ingredients:

• Raw - 1 cup
• Toor dal - 1/3 cup
• Water - 5 cups
• Mixed Vegetables - 1 cup ( 1 small carrot, 1/2 potato, Beans, peas)

To saute in pressure cooker:

• Cooking oil - 2 tbsp
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tspn
• Curry leaves - Few
• Coriander leaves - 1 tbsp ( finely chopped)
• Slit Green chilli - 1 
• Chopped Big onion - 1 
• Finely Ripe Tomato - 2
• Sambar Powder - 1 tsp
• Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
• Dhania powder -1 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
• Hing/Asafetida – 1/8 tsp
• Salt - as needed

To Garnish:

• Coriander leaves - 1 tbsp ( finely chopped)
• Ghee - 1 tbsp

Preparation Method:

1. Wash rice & toor dal. Drain the water & Set aside. Wash & chop all the vegetables.
2. In a pressure cooker, heat oil and add mustard seeds,curry leaves and coriander leaves. Saute for a second. 
3. Add sliced onion, slit green chilli and saute till onion turns transparent.
4. Add finely chopped tomato, turmeric powder, hing, sambar powder, red chilli powder, dhania powder and salt mix well.
5. Saute in medium flame till tomato turns mushy.
6. Lastly add the chopped vegetables.Saute for a minute. Add the washed rice, dal and 4 cups of water. Mix well and check for taste.
7. Close the cooker and pressure cook for 3 whistles in very low flame.Open the cooker after steam is released. Mix well.
8. Don't forget to garnish with chopped coriander leaves and add 1 tbsp of ghee. 
9. Serve hot with chips, papad or pickle if you like.