{
  "$schema": "https://recipes.dhanjas.com/schema/recipe.schema.json",
  "format": 3,
  "slug": "sambar-powder",
  "category": "powder",
  "title": "Sambar Powder",
  "name": "Sambar Powder (Sambar Masala)",
  "subtitle": "A toasted spice and lentil powder — the base for sambar, rasam, and general souring or spicing.",
  "badges": [
    "Jain Vegetarian",
    "Toddler-adapted"
  ],
  "labels": [
    "Sambar · Spice Blend"
  ],
  "meta": [
    "Prep: 5 min",
    "Roast: 10 min",
    "Yield: ~1 cup"
  ],
  "protein": "Makes ~1 cup — enough for many batches of sambar or rasam, keeps 3 months",
  "nightPrep": null,
  "ingredientGroups": [
    {
      "label": "Dals & chilies",
      "items": [
        {"id": "chana", "name": "Chana dal (bengal gram)", "short": "chana dal", "amount": "1½ tbsp"},
        {"id": "urad", "name": "Urad dal, skinned (black gram)", "short": "urad dal", "amount": "1½ tbsp"},
        {"id": "toor", "name": "Toor dal (split pigeon peas)", "short": "toor dal", "amount": "1 tbsp"},
        {"id": "chilies", "name": "Dried red chilies", "short": "dried red chilies", "amount": "8–12"}
      ]
    },
    {
      "label": "Seeds",
      "items": [
        {"id": "coriander", "name": "Coriander seeds", "short": "coriander seeds", "amount": "¼ cup"},
        {"id": "methi", "name": "Methi seeds (fenugreek)", "short": "methi seeds", "amount": "¾ tsp"},
        {"id": "cumin", "name": "Cumin seeds", "short": "cumin seeds", "amount": "2 tsp"},
        {"id": "pepper", "name": "Black peppercorns, optional", "short": "peppercorns", "amount": "1 tsp"}
      ]
    },
    {
      "label": "Aromatics & finish",
      "items": [
        {"id": "curry-leaves", "name": "Curry leaves, optional", "short": "curry leaves", "amount": "2 sprigs"},
        {"id": "hing", "name": "Hing", "short": "hing", "amount": "⅛ tsp"},
        {"id": "turmeric", "name": "Turmeric powder", "short": "turmeric", "amount": "¼ tsp"}
      ]
    }
  ],
  "method": [
    {
      "type": "step",
      "title": "Dry roast in stages",
      "items": [
        "Heat a heavy pan on low flame — low heat the whole way through is what brings out the aroma, don't rush this",
        "Add {@chana}, {@urad}, {@toor} and {@chilies}; dry roast, stirring often, until the dals turn golden and the chilies darken slightly and smell toasty",
        "Add {@coriander} and {@methi}; roast until the coriander turns crunchy and lightly golden, and the methi turns a shade darker and smells nutty",
        "Once fragrant, add {@curry-leaves} if using; roast until they turn crisp and shatter easily",
        "Add {@cumin} and {@pepper} if using; roast until the cumin turns crunchy and fragrant, then turn off the flame",
        "With the flame off, stir in {@turmeric} and {@hing} — residual heat blooms them without scorching",
        "Transfer everything to a wide plate and spread out to cool completely, at least 20–30 minutes"
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "step",
      "title": "Grind and store",
      "items": [
        "Once fully cooled, transfer everything to a blender or spice grinder jar",
        "Grind to a fine, even powder",
        "Let the ground powder cool completely — grinding generates heat, and trapping that warmth in a sealed jar invites moisture",
        "Store in an airtight glass or steel jar at room temperature; keeps well for about 3 months"
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "toddler",
      "label": "Toddler note",
      "items": [
        "This is a pantry ingredient, not a dish on its own, so there's no separate toddler portion here",
        "It's spicy — dried whole chilies and pepper — so whenever you use it later in a sambar, rasam, or anything else, pull her portion before this powder goes in, same as with any other chili step"
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "tip",
      "label": "Equipment",
      "text": "Stovetop pan for roasting, then a dry spice or coffee grinder for the final powder — no air fryer or pressure cooker needed here."
    }
  ],
  "tags": [],
  "added": "2026-09-07"
}