In our home we never buy sambar powder from stores,for me at least store bought sambar powder seems completely unnatural and doesn't shout sambar when made.Now there are so many recipes for this sambar powder which varies from state to state and home to home.Here I am posting the method my mom follows and it is a tam-bram style one.I have also given few variations you could adapt according to taste.
Ingredients:
1/4 kg dried red chillies
1/2 kg coriander seeds
150 gm toor dal
100 gm channa dal
50 gm methi seeds
100 gm virali manjal (use normal turmeric powder if not available)
100 gm black peppercorns
2 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 handful of curry leaves
Method-1
Keep all the ingredients in hot sun for 1 hour and grind it to a fine powder.
Method-2
During monsoons or in cold regions,heat a kadai well,remove from heat,add all the ingredients and saute for 10 minutes till they are crisp.Take care not to burn,grind to a fine powder.
Notes:
1.This sambar powder is totally different from store bought.It doesn't contain cinnamon or cloves as it gives at total taste.
2.Below given ingredients can be added if you want to add thickness to the sambar you make.
1 table spoon urad dal
2 teaspoons raw rice
3.We use this powder also for rasam,kootu(stews) and also stir fries.It is far better than using store bought raw chilli powder.
4. Add 50 gm of cumin seeds to use this powder for rasam too.
5.If you are making this in small quantity you can powder it in mixie instead of grinding mill