Sambhar masala or Sambaar Powder (also spelled Sambar) is a classic spice blend commonly used in South Indian cooking. It is especially used in cooking lentils (dal or dahl) and mixed vegetable. Sambhar Masala can be either made at home by mixing spices such as turmeric, coriander, cayenne, fenugreek, cumin and pulses or easily bought in store. A simple classic recipe of Sambhar masala is given below.

Ingredients:

Spices:
10 dried red chilies
6 tablespoon coriander seeds
2 tablespoon cumin seeds
1½ tablespoon turmeric
2 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoon fenugreek (methi)

Pulses or Lentils:
2 teaspoon urad dal
2 teaspoon channa dal
2 teaspoon mung dal

Preparation:

1. Take out seed and stalk from chilies. Heat all spices except turmeric in low-medium heat until they give rich aromatic flavor. Make them toasted without burning.
2. Heat all the pulses (lentils) in low medium heat. Make them toasted without burning.
3. Grind and mix both with turmeric.

Makes 16 tablespoon