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 – 3/4 to 1 cup
Tamarind – a marble-sized ball or 2 tbsp 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 – 1/2 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.
Nags
Yes, this is the easiest version of sambar sadam i have ever tried too. I know bisi bele bath is slightly different and coconut is added. I have seen versions without coconut too, its different in each house i guess 🙂
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Manasi
Love bbb!! And most convenient for weeknights!
Cham
This sambar sadam sounds very simple!
Kalyani
looks delicious & a fast recipe …. will try it soon ……
Pavithra
Thats looking so delicious and quick meal..mmm yummy will try it out
Fearless Kitchen
This looks really delicious!
FoodyGuru (Srimathi)
You have some outstanding clicks Nags. I always like the way you present them. Bisi Bela is always very refreshing.
Prathibha
I am a big fan of BBB….hmmm u r tempting me to prepare it soon….Ur sambar rice version is a quick version of BBB…
Bong Mom
I love sambar and always add lots of veggies to it(am not sure if that is the norm). I also love bisis bele bhath. So guess what, I love this 😀
Vishali
that makes me drool no matter how many times I have it. Love the snaps!