Veggies Magic

This plain Sambar is usually prepared as an accompaniement for idlis. If it is to be taken with rice, then I normally add few vegetables like lady’s finger, pumpkin, drumstick etc.

Recipe for Sambar:

Ingredients:

Toor dal- 1 cup
Onion- 1
Tomato- 1
Tamarind - small lemon size
Sambar Powder- 2 tsps (home made or store bought)
Fresh Coriander for garnishing (optional)
Pinch of turmeric
Salt to taste
Sugar- 1 tsp (optional)

For Seasoning:

Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
Garlic pods- 4 or 5
Red chillies- 2
Green chillies- 2
Pinch of Asafoetida
Curry leaves- 10

Procedure:

• Wash the toor dal and boil it. Mash the boiled dal to a smooth and thick consistency and keep aside.
• Soak the tamarind in lukewarm water for five minutes and squeeze the pulp.
• Dilute the tamarind pulp, adding two cups of water.
• Heat a heavy bottomed pan, add a spoon of oil and do the seasoning with the ingredients listed above in the same order.
• Chop the onions lengthwise and add to the seasoning.
• Saute for few minutes until they leave the raw smell.
• Chop the tomato and add to the sauted onions.
• Saute for a minute and add salt, turmeric, sugar, sambar powder and diluted tamarind water to the ingredients in the pan.
• Simmer the flame and boil for ten minutes.
• Add the mashed toor dal to the ingredients in the pan and stir well.
• Let it boil for another five minutes and put off the stove.
• Garnish the sambar with some fresh coriander.
• Some freshly grated coconut can also be added. This is optional.

Serve it hot with idlis or steamed rice.