Spinach Sambar | How to make Spinach Sambar in Cooker | One Pot Sambar Recipe

Hi Supermoms,

Hope you are all well. Though monsoons have started in many States in India, it is still very hot here in Gurgaon. 

More than the heat, the high humidity makes things difficult . I have been avoiding standing for long hours in the kitchen for this reason. Last few days, I have been cooking dishes that require minimum effort but has maximum taste . 

I am sure all of you know that health and taste go hand in hand in all my dishes. Spinach and  lentils are a great team to get this desired output. I have earlier shared a Spinach Kootu recipe and I hope you all have tried it. 

Spinach Kootu Recipe👇

Today, I am sharing another favourite dish from my kitchen - The Spinach Sambar.

I make it very often and today I am going share the my Cooker Sambar version with all of you. The sambar gets cooked so quickly but tastes amazing!! 

Very handy for all the working moms, students and also new cooks who have now started to enjoy cooking. I used homemade sambar powder but you can also use store bought sambar powder. In case you do not have sambar powder, use one and half teaspoons of Kashmiri chilli powder, 2 teaspoons coriander powder to make this sambar. 

I would love to see and hear your feedback and the compliments you receive for this recipe. 

Now, let’s start cooking! 

Spinach Sambar in a Cooker :

Preparation time : 10 minutes

Cooking time: 20-25 minutes

Serves : 4

1 cup =250 ml cup

Ingredients :

4 cups spinach ( washed and chopped, you can also use the stem)

2 tomatoes ( chopped)

Lemon size tamarind or 2 teaspoons tamarind paste

1/2 cup toor dal (wash twice)

2 -2.5 teaspoons sambar powder 

1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

Salt to taste

For tempering :

1 tablespoon oil

1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds

1/2 teaspoon mix of flaxseeds, 

sesame seeds and fenugreek seeds(optional)

1 sprig curry leaves

Pinch of asafoetida(optional)

Chef Tips :

 How I wash my greens :

a. I first wash the green well under running water before cutting . You can also fill a tall vessel with water and wash the greens with the stem.

b. Chop the greens  and add the chopped greens to a colander , place it above a vessel so that the water can collect into the vessel. 

c. Now place the colander along with the vessel under running water and thoroughly clean the greens .

d. You can use the collected water to water your plants. 

e. Washing the greens this way before chopping them and once after chopping them, removes all the dirt completely. 

Spinach Sambar Recipe Video 👇

Method:

1. Heat a pressure cooker.
2. Add oil.
3. Once oil is hot, add mustard seeds, mix of flax seeds, sesame seeds and fenugreek seeds(optional ingredients).
4. Add the curry leaves.
5. Now add the chopped tomatoes.
6. Mix well and add turmeric powder.
7. Now add the spinach, sambar powder and salt. 
8. Mix well and cook for a few seconds.
9. Add the tamarind juice ( extracted by adding 1 cup warm water to the tamarind)
10. Add the dal 3/4 cup water to the spinach mixture and pressure cook up to 3-4 whistles over medium flame. 
11. Switch off and open only when the cooker’s pressure is released completely.

Your delicious Spinach sambar is now ready to be served . I served it along with some Vadams/Sabudana fries . 

Happy Cooking !

With love,

Masterchefmom