Udupi Huli
Udupi sambar — the defining distinction of Udupi huli from all other South Indian sambar varieties is the use of jaggery and a freshly ground masala paste of fried dried red chilli, coriander seeds, and freshly grated coconut rather than commercial sambar powder. The resulting huli is sweeter, creamier, and more coconut-forward than Tamil Nadu sambar; the jaggery rounds the tamarind's sharpness into a gentler sweet-sour profile. Made with toor dal cooked until very soft and mashed, then combined with tamarind, the fresh coconut masala, and the season's vegetables (drumstick, tomato, shallot, or a single vegetable like ash gourd). No onion in the purist temple version; asafoetida performs the same flavour function. The Udupi huli is the standard against which all Karnataka sambar is judged.
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Recipe
Ingredients
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1 cup | Toor Dal |
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1 cup | Mixed Vegetable , carrot, beans, potato |
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1 small | Tomato , chopped |
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1 tsp | Turmeric powder |
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1 tsp | Salt |
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1 tamarind | Lemon , sized ball, soaked in water |
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1 tbsp | Jaggery |
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2 tbsp | Coconut oil |
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1 tsp | Mustard Seed |
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1 pinch | Asafoetida |
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1 sprig | Curry Leaf |
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2 tbsp | Coconut , freshly grated |
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2 cups | Water |
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2 tbsp | Sambar powder |
Instructions
- 1 Wash the toor dal thoroughly and pressure cook it with 2 cups of water and turmeric powder until soft.
- 2 In a pot, add the mixed vegetables, chopped tomato, and a pinch of salt. Cook until the vegetables are tender.
- 3 Extract the juice from the soaked tamarind and add it to the cooked vegetables along with jaggery and cooked toor dal.
- 4 Add the huli powder and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- 5 In a small pan, heat coconut oil and add mustard seeds. Once they splutter, add asafoetida and curry leaves.
- 6 Pour this tempering over the simmering huli and mix well.
- 7 Add freshly grated coconut and let it cook for another 5 minutes.
- 8 Adjust salt to taste and serve hot with rice or chapati.
Tips
For a richer flavor, roast the huli powder slightly before adding it to the dish.