Sambar Powder

Sambar powder is a spice blend used in sambar, a tamarind-based soup. One legend has it that a Maratha ruler invented sambar when he attempted to make dal himself while his chef was away. He did this by adding tamarind to dal and calling the resulting dish sambar. This type of sambar is still made today in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu where the dish is typically seasoned with sambar powder.