Kadamba Sadham (Mix Veg Sambhar Rice)

Kadamba Saadham

Photo courtesy: Padmini, Srinivasan (my parents)

I call this the Tamil Nadu Bisi Bele Bath. It does not involve the use of many spices. Kadambam means a mixture. This has rice, lentils and vegetables in a single dish. My mother and sister love Kadamba Sadham, this is their favourite Sunday meal! Mom sent me her recipe and picture (re-posted)

Kadamba Sadham powder:
2 tsp channa dal
2 tsp urad dal
4 tsp dhaniya
4 red chillies
1/8 tsp methi seeds
4 tsp coconut gratings
2-3 peppercorns
6-8 jeera seeds,
1 tsp oil

Fry the above ingredients and make to a fine dry powder.

For the Kadamba sadham:

1/2 cup rice
1/4 cup toor dal
2 tsp channa dal
1 lemon sized ball of tamarind extract
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 sprig curry leaves
1 tomato - finely chopped
1/8 tsp jaggery
1 handful chopped coriander leaves
1/4 tsp turmeric,
hing- 4 dashes
1 or 1 1/2 cup assorted veggies (beans, peas, carrots, red pumpkin, white pumpkin, raw banana)

Cut veggies long. Pre-cook the veggies (in microwave) with water and dash of salt till almost cooked.
Pressure cook rice and dals with water. Mash partly and keep aside.
In a kadai, add oil, mustard seeds, curry leaves, tomato, saute well.
Add tamarind extract. Add hing, turmeric powder, salt. Let it boil well.
Add the cooked veggies. Add the masala and allow it to boil and thicken.
Add the rice dal mixture and mix well. Add more water if necessary.
Add jaggery. Garnish with coriander leaves and fried cashews.
Serve with potato curry.

Note: If the vegetables are fresh and tender, you can add the veggies just after adding the tomatoes.

This recipe goes to Shama Nagarajan's Mom's Favourite Recipe Event