QnA : Left Over Sambhar

Question : Please tell me what can be prepared from excess sambhar (apart from using for idli/dosa), pls. note it’s made from chana dal. I don’t want to throw it away. Pls. tell me where I can reuse it.

Answer: Even though Sambhar is not typically versatile because of its unique taste but there are some of the possibilities which you can easily try at home. I am not sure what kind of vegetable (mostly seasonal) you are using for making it, the same is difficult to use as they are mostly overcooked by the time sambhar is finally prepared.

There is one typical preparation in South India called “Bisi bele huliyana’ also know as “Bisi bela Bhaat” where “bisi” means hot, “bela” means dal, “Bhaat” means rice and “Huli” means sour or tangy.

Preparing Bisi Bele Bhaat

The recipe works very well with the leftover rice which alongwith leftover sambhar can a healthy, sumptuous main meal of the day. You may also come across some other recipes of this preparation in books and internet where they start with a scratch but this version also works well for soul satisfaction.

Remove the vegetables from the sambhar as much as you can, you definitely do not want them to be overdone and mushy, keep aside. Use 1 cup ice with two cups of sambhar.

Reheat the sambhar, add some water if it is too thick. Next add the rice and slowly simmer, crushing with the back of your spoon, until they resemble like thick rice porridge but still retaining some texture. Add the vegetables and mix well. Check seasoning now, sprinkle lemon juice and stir in freshly chopped coriander leaves. You can also garnish with the slivers of fresh coconut and roasted chana dal if you like some crunch into this preparation.

Preparing South Indian Lentil Soup with left over sambhar

Carefully remove the vegetables from the soup and keep aside. Blend the soup until smooth, strain if required. Put the pureed content in a pan, add coconut milk to thin it to soup consistency, garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with toasted bread.

- Kuntal

Tags: sambhar, indian food, roti, bhatura, chettinad, indian curry, kulfi, palak, lentil, dal