Sambar

There was a time when ,one would have to either visit a "South Indian" home or restaurant to have a tasty meal with Sambar.
Now,with the advent of zillion companies and a zillion more masalas,sambar is no more a novelty.
All the same,mom's/mummy's/amma's sambar is the bestest in the world ,for all kids :).
I make two varieties of sambar.
A traditional one with coconut and proper masalas that are fried and ground and another one which can be made in a jiffy and does not need coconut at all..
The traditional one,I usually keep for the times when we have guest over,I shall share that recipe soon.It is time tested and my moms recipe.

The recipe I will share today will be the simple one :)

We need
 Tur dal-1 cup
Vegetables-I use a mix of vegetables-ladies finger,brinjal,onion,tomato,drum stick,ndian flat beans[papdi/avarakya]
Tamarind-lemon sized ball soaked in 1 cup of water,extract pulp
Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
Sambar masala-2 tsp


For the tadka
Mustard seeds-1/2 tsp
Fenugreek seeds[methi dana]-a pinch
Dried red chilly-2
Curry leaves-2 springs
Asafoetida [hing] -1 pinch

Coriander leaves for garnishing

Method

Tadka

Mashed cooked dal

1. Pressure cook the tur dal with turmeric.
2. In a kadai heat 2 tsp oil and splutter the mustard seeds,fenugreek seeds,dried red chilly,hing and curry leaves.
3. Add the cut vegetables and saute for a minute.
4. Add the sambar masala and 1 cups of water.
5. Add the tamarind pulp  and salt.Let the vegetables boil till done.
6. Once done,add the mashed dal to the boiling vegetable mixture.
7. Add water if the sambar is too thick.
8. An indulgent step here,would be to add a tsp of ghee .
9. Check for salt .
10. Add the chopped coriander and take off heat.



Boiling away

11. serve with steamed rice or idli /dosa.

My Lunch!!