Beet Leaves Sambar

Madhuram — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 09:20:53 +0000

My grandmother used to prepare a sambar using methi (fenugreek leaves) leaves called “Pulla Keera” meaning tangy greens. It requires little more tamarind than the regular sambar and a tempering of mustard seeds, fenugreek (methi seeds) and green chillies which gives this side dish an unique flavor. Toor daal rice mixed with ghee, spicy potato roast and this sambar is simply a heavenly combination.

I had a bunch of beets with the greens. So I decided to prepare the sambar using beet greens instead of methi. The beet leaves sambar tasted very good and comforting. Grandmothers’ recipes are always versatile and foolproof.

IngredientsFor Sambar:
Beet Greens, a small bunch. (Methi or other greens can also be used).
Tamarind pulp – 2 teaspoons (See Notes)
Sambar powder – 1/2 tablespoon (as per your taste)
Turmeric powder – 1/4 teaspoon
Hing/Asafoetida – 1/8 teaspoon
Salt – 1/2 teaspoon (as per your taste)
Water – 1 cup
Toor Daal – 1/4 cup

For tempering:
Oil, preferably sesame – 1/2 tablespoon
Mustard seeds – 1/4 teaspoon
Methi seeds – little less than 1/2 teaspoon
Green chili, slit into 2 – 1 (as per your taste)

Procedure1. Rinse thoroughly the greens and finely chop the beet leaves as well as the stems. In a pressure cooker cook the toor daal and keep it separately.

2. In a saucepan add all the ingredients listed for sambar except the toor daal and keep it on the stove.

3. The greens should be cooked completely. Add some more water if required.

4. Now add the mashed toor daal to the greens and let it cook for another 3 minutes.

5. In a small frying pan add the oil, once it heats add the mustard seeds. Once it starts to splutter add the methi seeds and the slit green chili and fry it for a minute. Add the tempering to the boiling sambar and leave it in the stove for another 2 minutes and then switch off the stove. This sambar should not have a very thick consistency also. It will taste better if it’s little watery.

My NotesMy family consumes very little tamarind, so 2 teaspoons is more than what we use regularly. So the important point is, use 1/4-1/2 teaspoon extra tamarind than you would use normally. The same goes with sambar powder and green chillies also. If you are used to spicy food, go ahead and increase it as well.

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Beet Leaves Sambar