Any idea what I am talking about?
Yes Sambhache Ahaar….. Sambha’s Food.
As Malayalis or Tamilians we take so much pride in our own Tasty Sambhar recipe.
Sambhar… an inevitable side dish for all of us which is so tasty and even protein rich, with the daal, the variety of vegetables , the tasty Masala and tamarind.
Idly –Sambhar
Dosa –sambhar
Vada – Sambhr
Pongal – Sambha
Sambhaar –rice
And then Sambhar with what not..
‘ My respected men,’ said Shahaji Bhonsle to his courtiers. “Today great Sambhaji is visiting our kingdom. Treat him with utmost respect and Tasty food for lunch. Sambhaji is my cousin and the son of Shivaji, the great Maratha ruler. As a token of my affection and respect for him I am going to make our traditional Amte Daal for him myself. Please keep all the ingredients for the Amte Daal ready. Remember that he is visiting our Tanjore kingdom for the first time.”
Saying thus Shahaji Bhonsle entered the royal kitchen. The cooks all started to run here and there seeing the king inside the kitchen. Frantically they stared to make the masala for the daal. They soaked the daal too.
“Oh my God, what should we do? The main ingredient kokum is finished. I never even imagined that His Highness will come to the kitchen today and demand for making the Amta daal. What should I do, now? ’said the chef.
“Don’t worry, Saabji we can use tamarind instead of kokum. We will convince His highness that this will taste even better.’ His assistant said.
“Yes, yes we will do that.”
Shahaji now started asking for the ingrediets. When he saw tamarind instead of Kokum he ws upset. But somehow the chef convinced him about how the daal will taste even better if he used tamarind instead of kokum.
Shahaji made the daal using the tamarind. He made a twist in the recipe adding a variety of vegetables. The dish tasted so delicious.
“Now we should give a new name to this Tasty and delicious curry.’ Said Shahaji. ‘The best one will fetch 10 gold coins’
Everyone of his court tried. Finally his chef came out with a name… Sambhache Ahaar…. Which means food for Sambhaji……Thus Sambhar.
Thus the great, Tasty, evergreen Sambhar evolved .
Thus, Sambhar… The Great was invented in Tanjore.
Ref..A manuscript written in Modi script, Saraswathy Mahal Library