Instant Pot PIP – Keerai Sambar Rice and Beetroot Fry

Indian cooking in Instant Pot PIP method is relatively easy when compared to stove top cooking. Multiple dishes can be cooked at the same time, provided they all take the same time to cook. So here is one such combo – Keerai Sambar, Rice and Beetroot Fry in just 30 mins. All cooked at the same time and all you need to do is just fry the beetroot in stove top.

The idea is to cook the sambar or any gravy for that matter in the bottom and use a trivet or stand to cook rice and vegetables by steaming method. Do check out the video to get a clear view.

Here is the video…

[Preparation Time-15 mins : Mode – Pressure Cook 10 Mins, QR : Stove Top Cooking time – 15 mins]

Instant Pot PIP Keerai Sambar Ingredients:

• Spinach/Keerai – 1 bunch
• Toor Dal – 1 cup
• Sambar Onion – 10 to 12
• Tomato – 2
• Oil – 2 tbsp
• Mustard – 1 tsp
• Urad Dal – 1 tsp
• Asafoetida/Hing – 1/4 tsp
• Turmeric powder – a pinch
• Sambar powder – 1 tbsp
• Salt – as needed

Check out stove top Beetroot Fry and stove top Keerai Sambar recipe.

Method:

1. Start the IP in saute mode for 5 minutes.
2. Add oil and temper with mustard and urad dal. Next add onions and saute until translucent.
3. Now add tomatoes, followed by turmeric powder, sambar powder and asafoetida.
4. Once the tomatoes are mushy, add washed toor dal and water.
5. Add required salt and washed spinach.
6. Mix well so that nothing is stuck to the pan.
7. Cancel saute mode.
8. Now place the stand or trivet on top of the keerai sambar.
9. Stack up the rice (in a bowl) and cover it with a plate.
10. Place another bowl on top of it with chopped beetroot in it.
11. Close the IP and push the vent to seal position. Cook it in pressure cook mode for 10 mins.
12. Quick Release (QR)
13. Beetroot would be cooked perfectly, Rice and Keerai Sambar would be ready.
14. Mash the dal and check for salt.

To cook the beetroot on stove top method check the recipe link mentioned above.

Tips:

1. For the Keerai Sambar I have not added tamarind paste. You can add if you prefer after pressure cooking and cook for 2-3 mins in saute mode.
2. Always cook whichever food that takes the longest time, at the bottom of the IP.
3. You can cook the same menu in a pressure cooker too, provided it can fit all of them. Pressure cook for a whistle and simmer for 10 mins.

– By Sundari Nathan