Sambhar, Sides

Upahara Darshini Style Sambhar | How to make UD style sambar | #CopyCat Recipe

What is Upahara Darshini Sambhar ?

Upahara Darshini was (is) a popular eatery in South Bangalore.Upahara in Kannada means tiffins / small meals . Although it has many chains now, the original outlet (popularly known by the locals as “UD”) at DVG Road, Basavanagudi is very popular for the tiffins /breakfast esp this sambar , Kharabhath , Shavige Uppittu (vermicelli Upma), Set Dosa . The cousin and me were particularly huge fans of its sambhar – a deep red Sambhar (Tiffin sambhar in Karnataka is a tangy, spicy gravy made with very little veggies and lots of spices and coconut, while this is the Tamilnadu version of Tiffin Sambhar), It was one of the first self-service eateries in Bangalore and opened as early as 1993. 

The unique taste of Upahara Darshini Sambhar, and some nostalgia…

Given that its sambhar is one of the top selling items, the waiters happily dole out extra bowls of Sambhar as and when you ask. Also, there is the Udupi Sambhar that is served with Idli / vada or even Rice My cousin brother mentioned here is a huge love of this sambhar and an Idli-vada-sambhar fan like me

So after gobbling the idli-vada, he used to go back for seconds and thirds of this Sambhar. Its flavour is unlike any other sambhar, and although my cousin now lives outside India, given his culinary and baking skills I think he makes this sambhar for himself.I am so proud of the self taught baking lessons he’s given himself (and I shall ask for his permission if I can share his Instagram handle here)  – the breads he’s baked and posted are gorgeous and I am sure he would love this memory of slurping this Udupi style Sambhar.

Upahara Darshini Style SambharPin

Do you know how Sambar / Sambhar got it’s name ? ????

Sambar which is  a popular south-Indian dish is said to have invented by Shahuji, and the chef, while trying to make a side dish called Amti accidentally added tamarind extract to it instead of kokum and thus the dish was named after Sambhaji Maharaj – the 2nd Emperor of the Maratha Empire

What dishes can be served with this Upahara Darshini Sambhar?

Well, the entire South Indian Breakfast platter can be. But my personal favourites are:

Upahara Darshini Style SambharPin

Prep time – 20 mins, Cook time – 15 mins, Serves – 4~5

Ingredients:

For the Sambhar:

  • 1/4 cup split pigeon pea
  • 1/2 tsp Turmeric
  • 1 Onion  (chopped medium)
  • 2 Ripe Tomato (diced)
  • 2 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Tamarind paste (adjust if the tomatoes aren’t tangy)

For the ground masala:

  • 1/2 TBSP Oil
  • 6 Kashmiri Chilli  (don’t skip this)
  • 2 Dry Red Chillies (Spicy variety) 
  • 1/3 cup Coconut (Fresh Grated) 
  • 1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
  • 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds
  • 1.5 TBSP Coriander seeds
  • 1/2 TBSP Split black gram (Urad Dal) 
  • 1/2 TBSP Bengal Gram (Channa Dal) 

    For the Tempering:
  • 2 tsp Oil
  • 1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
  • 2 Sprig Curry leaves
  • 1/2 tsp Asafoetida  (skip for GF)
  • 2 Kashmiri red chillies ( Broken into 2) 
  • 1 TBSP Green coriander leaves (chopped fine)

PIN FOR LATER 

Upahara Darshini Style SambharPin

Method to make Upahara Darshini Sambhar:

Prep work:

  1. Soak tamarind in 1/2 cup water and extract the juice and keep aside (if not using paste)
  2. Soak Toor dal with turmeric for 10 mins while you chop the tomatoes and onions.
  3. In a pressure cooker, Pressure cook Toor dal with 1 cup water till mushy and soft (3-4 whistles will do). In another pan, sauté the onions in 1 tsp oil till crispy and reserve. 

For the masala

  1. In a pan, heat 1/2 tsp oil. dry roast the dals and coriander one by one till they are golden brown
  2. Add the rest of the ingredients including the coconut , switch off heat and sauté for 1-2 mins. Cool and grind to a thick paste additional very little water. reserve.
Upahara darshini style sambharPin

To make the sambhar

  1. In a pan, add the cooked dal, tomatoes and 1-2 cups of water and cover and cook till the tomatoes turn mushy. Now add the tamarind extract, ground masala paste, salt.
  2. Cook for 2-3 mins more on medium flame. Now add the sautéed onions and let it simmer for 2-4 mins.
  3. Adjust thickness by adding any additional water (the masala paste makes the sambhar quite thick so add adequate water to make a sambhar consistency).
  4. Make the tempering with the ingredients and pour to sambar. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves  and serve hot with  Idli / Dosa Or Uttapams / Pongal / Vadai / Millets Pongal. If you are like me, make a huge batch of this and slurp it as is !
Upahara Darshini Style SambharPin
Upahara Darshini Style SambharPin

Upahara Darshini Style Sambhar

Kalyani
An unique and delicious Sambhar to serve with Idli / Vada / Dosa
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Breakfast, Side Dish
Cuisine Indian, South Indian
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Pressure Cooker
  • Kadai
  • Knife
  • Wet Blender

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup split pigeon pea
  • 1/2 tsp Turmeric
  • 1 Onion chopped medium
  • 2 Ripe Tomato diced
  • 2 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Tamarind paste adjust if the tomatoes aren’t tangy
  • 3 TBSP Oil
  • 8 Kashmiri Chilli split use, don’t skip this
  • 2 Dry Red Chillies Spicy variety
  • 1/3 cup Coconut Fresh Grated
  • 1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
  • 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds
  • 1.5 tbsp Coriander seeds
  • 1/2 TBSP Split black gram Urad Dal
  • 1/2 TBSP Bengal Gram Channa Dal
  • 1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
  • 2 Sprig Curry leaves
  • 1/2 tsp Asafoetida skip for GF
  • 1 TBSP Green coriander leaves chopped fine

Instructions
 

Prep Work

  • Soak tamarind in 1/2 cup water and extract the juice and keep aside (if not using paste)Soak Toor dal with turmeric for 10 mins while you chop the tomatoes and onions. In a pressure cooker, Pressure cook Toor dal with 1 cup water till mushy and soft (3-4 whistles will do). In another pan, sauté the onions in 1 tsp oil till crispy and reserve. 

For the masala paste

  • In a pan, heat 1/2 tsp oil. dry roast the dals and coriander one by one till they are golden brown, add the rest of the ingredients including the coconut , switch off heat and sauté for 1-2 mins. Cool and grind to a thick paste additional very little water. reserve.

To make the sambhar

  • In a pan, add the cooked dal, tomatoes and 1-2 cups of water and cover and cook till the tomatoes turn mushy. Now add the tamarind extract, ground masala paste, salt. Cook for 2-3 mins more on medium flame. Now add the sautéed onions and let it simmer for 2-4 mins. adjust thickness by adding any additional water (the masala paste makes the sambhar quite thick so add adequate water to make a sambhar consistency).

How to serve:

  • Make the tempering with the ingredients and pour to sambar. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves  and serve hot with  Idli / Dosa Or Uttapams / Pongal / Vadai / Millets Pongal. If you are like me, make a huge batch of this and slurp it as is !

Notes

  • Pearl Onions work really well in this recipe, But if you don’t have them, use the normal red onions instead. 
  • Ripe Tomatoes  are absolutely necessary
  • The tadka / tempering at the end is one of the highlights of this sambhar. Make sure you dont skip that. 
  • Kashmiri Chillies add a mild sweetness as well as the deep rich-red hue characteristic colour to this sambhar. 
Keyword Gluten Free, Karnataka cuisine, Sambhar, Tiffin Sambar, Toor Dal, Vegan
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11 Comments

  1. I'm a huge fan of the sweetish Udupi style sambar myself. 🙂 Love your lovely little introduction to your cousin brother, and this sambar dedicated to him.

  2. Mayuri Patel

    Every famous dosa idli place has its own version of sambhar and that's what I love about trying out different places. our Udupi style sambhar looks so nice and I'm seriously now craving for some idli vada with hot sambhar.

  3. Poonam Bachhav

    I visit udupi restaurants only for their piping hot sambars. I am sure your udupi style sambar with the freshly ground masala is super delicious!

  4. Kalyani this darshani style sambhar looks delicious. I did not know that there is coconut in the masala. Thanks maybe mine will improve now.

  5. preethi'scuisine

    I love sambhar in darshini.Your post made me nostalgic. Will have to wait till my next trip to Bangalore. Sambhar with freshly ground masala is always the best.

  6. Vasusvegkitchen

    Looks very yummy and tempting ????, today only I prepared this by adding drumsticks. It's big hit at house, I always love to have this with idli. Yummm

  7. cookwithrenu

    That sambhar looks super delicious and tempting. Love the use of fresh ingredients here to make the masala The sambhar with that Idli is all I want now

  8. I love sambhar but always use readymade sambhar masala. Your looks super tempting. Loved the use of freshly ground masala. Bookmarking it try sometime.

  9. We never get bored of sambhar. love this delicious sambhar made with freshly grounded masala. Would love to have it with hot idli

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