Latest news with #Kerala-Style
NDTV
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- NDTV
Think Sambhar Powder Is Just For Sambhar? Try These 6 Recipes Beyond Classic
Sambhar is iconic in South Indian cuisine. This hearty, spiced lentil stew, typically served with idli, dosa or rice, is not just comfort food, but a culinary symbol of the region's rich and diverse food culture. Whether it is part of a traditional Tamil Nadu lunch, a Kerala sadya, or a weekend brunch in a North Indian household, sambhar has earned its place on dining tables across the country. And at the heart of this beloved dish lies a humble yet powerful ingredient- sambhar powder. A complex blend of roasted spices like coriander seeds, red chillies, cumin, fenugreek, mustard seeds and turmeric, sambhar powder is what gives the dish its distinct aroma and flavour. But here's what many overlook: sambhar powder is not just made for sambhar. This spice blend is a flavour bomb waiting to be unleashed in many other dishes. With its bold, earthy and slightly tangy profile, sambhar powder can easily double up as a multipurpose masala in your everyday cooking. Curious how? We have got you some clever, delicious and creative ways to use sambhar powder beyond the sambhar pot. Also Read: How To Make Preservative-Free Sambar Powder At Home How Is Sambhar Powder Different From Rasam Powder? In South Indian kitchens, sambhar and rasam are non-negotiables. They are served back-to-back in meals, yet the two dishes could not be more different in character. And their signature spice blends? Even more so. Sambhar powder is heavyweight, designed to hold its own in a thick lentil-based stew packed with vegetables. The blend is usually coarser, sometimes even includes a bit of roasted dal, and carries strong notes of coriander, red chilli, cumin, and methi. It is rich, nutty, and grounding. Rasam powder, on the other hand, is sharp, built for a thinner, spicier broth. It leans heavily on black pepper and cumin, with a hit of hing. Also Read: 3 Quick And Easy Ways To Make Sambar In Minutes Photo Credit: iStock Is Sambhar Powder Healthy? What Are The Benefits? Yes, sambhar packs quite a nutritional punch too. Here's why this South Indian spice mix can be a healthy addition to your meals: 1. Aids Digestion: Coriander seeds and cumin, key ingredients in sambhar powder, are known to support digestion and reduce bloating. 2. Rich In Antioxidants: Spices like turmeric (curcumin) and mustard seeds are loaded with antioxidants that help fight inflammation and free radicals. 3. Supports Blood Sugar Management: Fenugreek seeds in the blend have been linked to improved insulin sensitivity and better blood sugar control. 4. Improves Gut Health: Dry roasting the spices before grinding enhances their digestibility and keeps the gut calm. 5. Naturally Immunity-Boosting: With turmeric, black pepper, and other warming spices, sambhar powder helps strengthen the immune system, especially in cooler months. Also Read: Calling All Sambar Fans: This One-Pot Kerala-Style Onion Sambar Recipe Will Blow Your Mind Homemade Vs Store-Bought Sambhar Powder: Which One Is Better? Sambhar powder is easily available at your nearby grocery store and can also be made at home. What you want to go for depends much on the features of homemade and packaged masalas. Let's break it down: Homemade Sambhar Powder Pros: Customisable flavour: You can adjust the spice levels, ingredient ratios, or skip some if you want. No preservatives or additives: It is 100 percent clean, natural, and made with pantry spices. Freshness guaranteed: Roasted and ground just before use, which enhances aroma and taste of homemade sambhar powder. Better control over quality: When made at home, it includes premium spices and ensures hygiene in preparation. Cons: Time-consuming: It needs careful roasting, cooling, and grinding, which can take quite some time. Shorter shelf life: Without preservatives, it is best used within a few weeks or stored properly in airtight containers. Store-Bought Sambhar Powder Pros: Convenient: it is ready to use, easily available at any grocery store or supermarket. Longer shelf life: It often lasts for months thanks to preservatives or anti-caking agents. Standardised taste: Packaged sambhar powder is great to keep up consistency in your food. It is ideal for people who are short of time or are learning to cook. Cons: May contain additives: Preservatives, colours, or fillers may be added in some commercial blends. Not always fresh: A packet of store-bought sambhar powder may have been sitting on shelves for months before reaching your kitchen. This affects its freshness. Generic flavour profile: It lacks the depth and regional authenticity of a homemade batch. The Verdict: If time and effort are not constraints, homemade sambhar powder wins hands down for freshness, flavour, and health. But for busy days or beginners, a reliable, good-quality store-bought brand is a perfectly fine shortcut. Just check the label for clean ingredients. Also Read: How To Make Authentic Vatha Kulambu -Sambar's Spicier Cousin That Deserves A Spot In Your Meals Photo Credit: iStock 6 Creative Ways To Use Sambhar Powder In Your Daily Cooking: 1. Masala Idli Stir-Fry: Leftover idlis? Don't reheat or remix. Cut them into bite-sized pieces, toss in hot oil with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and chopped onions. Sprinkle sambhar powder, season with salt, and finish with a squeeze of lemon. A spicy, crunchy tea-time snack is ready in minutes. 2. Spiced Roasted Vegetables: Give your roasted veggies a South Indian spin. Just coat potatoes, carrots, or cauliflower with oil, salt, and a generous pinch of sambhar powder. Roast till they are golden and crisp. It works great as a side, or even better with curd rice. 3. Tangy Sambhar Raita: Sambhar powder in curd? Yes, and it works beautifully. Mix it into thick curd along with grated carrot, chopped onions, fresh coriander, and a pinch of salt. What you get is a punchy raita that complements pulao, parathas, and even leftover khichdi. 4. Paneer Tikka With A Twist: Add sambhar powder to your tikka marinade for an unexpected kick. Combine it with hung curd, ginger-garlic paste, mustard oil and lemon juice. Marinate paneer cubes, grill or pan-fry, and serve with green chutney. It is a perfect starter for your parties or just for weekday indulgence. Photo Credit: iStock 5. Sambhar Masala Rice: Short on time? Sambhar powder has your back. Mix it into leftover rice with a spoon of ghee, sauted onions, green pea and peanuts. It is quick, spicy, and packed with flavour. Top with a fried egg or a dollop of pickle for that extra zing. 6. Desi Masala Omelette: Give your morning eggs a spicy twist with this unique recipe. Add a pinch of sambhar powder to the regular mix of onions, green chillies, tomatoes and coriander. The result? An omelette with bold, toasty flavours that pairs perfectly with toast or pav. The Bottom Line: Think of sambhar powder not just as a spice blend, but as a shortcut to complex, comforting flavour. So next time you see it in your spice rack, don't wait for dosa day. Get creative and let it do its magic across your menu. Advertisement About Somdatta Saha Explorer- this is what Somdatta likes to call herself. Be it in terms of food, people or places, all she craves for is to know the unknown. A simple aglio olio pasta or daal-chawal and a good movie can make her day. For the latest food news, health tips and recipes, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and YouTube. Tags: Sambhar Powder Sambhar Powder Recipe Sambhar Recipe Show full article Comments
News18
21-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- News18
Mango Magic: 3 Must-Try Recipes to Celebrate the King of Fruits
Last Updated: From a Kerala-style curry to elegant desserts, these mango-infused recipes capture the essence of summer on a plate. Celebrate the vibrant sweetness of mango season with three irresistible recipes that showcase the fruit's tropical charm in both savoury and sweet forms. From the tangy, spiced comfort of Mambazha Pulissery, a traditional Kerala mango curry, to the elegant Mango Almond Custard Tart with its creamy filling and delicate mango rosettes, and the rich, indulgent Mango Cheesecake topped with a refreshing compote—these dishes are a tribute to summer's golden bounty. Whether you crave nostalgic regional flavours or refined dessert creations, these recipes are perfect for festive gatherings or leisurely indulgence. Bring the sunshine to your table, one mango at a time. Chef Vineeth Jayan, Executive Chef, The Den Bengaluru shares 3 recipes for the season: Mambazha Pulissery (Kerala-Style Mango Curry) 300 gm ripe mangoes (Totapuri, Ratnagiri, or Kilichundan varieties work well) 200 gm yoghurt, whisked 100 gm coconut milk (optional, for richness) 50 gm fresh coconut paste 5 gm cumin seeds 5 gm mustard seeds 2 gm fenugreek seeds 2 gm dry red chilli 3 gm turmeric powder 10 gm curry leaves 10 gm coconut oil Heat coconut oil in a heavy-bottomed pan or earthenware pot. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add cumin seeds, dry red chillies, fenugreek seeds, and curry leaves, allowing the spices to release their aroma. Add the diced mangoes and sauté gently until they soften. Lower the heat and stir in the whisked yoghurt, coconut milk, coconut paste, turmeric, and salt. Add a little hot water to adjust the consistency if needed. Bring to a gentle boil, then simmer until the mangoes are fully tender and the curry has thickened. Garnish with fresh curry leaves and serve hot with steamed rice or soft chapatis. Mango Almond Custard Tart A tropical twist on a classic tart, this dessert features a buttery lime-scented tart shell filled with a light almond milk custard folded with mango purée, topped with fresh mango rosettes and microgreens. For the tart base: 280 gm refined flour 2 gm salt 150 gm butter 100 gm castor sugar 50 ml milk Zest of 1 lime Cream the butter and sugar lightly, then mix in the flour, salt, and lime zest. Gradually add the milk and knead gently into a dough. Chill for 30–40 minutes. Roll the dough and line a tart tin. Bake at 170°C for 20–25 minutes until lightly golden. Cool completely. For the mango almond custard filling: 100 ml almond milk 15 gm custard powder 20 gm castor sugar 150 gm whipping cream 50 gm fresh mango purée Boil almond milk with custard powder and sugar. Let the mixture cool. Separately, whip the cream to soft peaks. Mix mango purée into the cooled custard, then gently fold into the whipped cream. Assembly: Pour the custard filling into the cooled tart shell. Refrigerate for 15–20 minutes until set. Thinly slice two ripe mangoes and arrange into rosettes over the tart. Garnish with fresh microgreens and serve chilled. Mango Cheesecake Serves: 4 This indulgent mango cheesecake blends rich cream cheese with mango purée and a buttery biscuit crust, topped with a fresh mango-lime compote. For the crust: 300 gm graham cracker or Marie Gold biscuit crumbs 100 gm melted butter Mix the biscuit crumbs and melted butter until well combined. Press firmly into a 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 165°C for 10 minutes and set aside to cool. For the cheesecake filling: 400 gm cream cheese (Philadelphia or mascarpone, softened) 100 gm sugar 110 gm eggs (approx. 2 large eggs) 150 gm sour cream 5 gm vanilla extract 200 gm mango purée Beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Mix in sour cream, vanilla, and mango purée until fully combined. Pour the batter over the crust and bake for 55–60 minutes at 165°C until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly. Cool completely. For the topping: 200 gm diced fresh mango 20 gm sugar top videos View all 10 gm lemon juice Mix the diced mango with sugar and lemon juice. Spoon over the cooled cheesecake. Chill for at least 4 hours or overnight before slicing and serving. The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : alphonso mangoes latest news lifestyle mango recipes Mangoes news18 Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 21, 2025, 11:39 IST News lifestyle » food Mango Magic: 3 Must-Try Recipes to Celebrate the King of Fruits
