Tamil-Style Sambar

Ingredients

• 3/4 cupToor dal
• 2 tbspTamarind pulp
• 1 mediumOnion, chopped
• 1 smallOnion (for dal)
• 3 mediumTomato, chopped
• 2Green chillies, slit
• 1/2 tspTurmeric powder
• 2 1/2 tspRed chilli powder
• 3/4 tspSambar powder
• 1/2 tspAsafoetida (hing)
• 1/2 tspCumin seeds
• 1 tspMustard seeds
• 10Curry leaves
• 2 tbspCoriander leaves (dania), chopped
• to tasteSalt
• 2 tbspOil
• 4 cupsWater

Method

1. 1

   Wash and pressure cook toor dal with the small chopped onion, 1 chopped tomato, turmeric, hing, cumin, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 1/2 tsp chilli powder and 1 cup water for 4 whistles. Mash smooth when cool.

2. 2

   In a pot heat oil. Add mustard seeds; when they crackle, add the bigger chopped onion and the green chillies. Sauté 3 minutes until soft.

3. 3

   Add the remaining 2 chopped tomatoes and cook 4 minutes until mushy.

4. 4

   Pour in the mashed dal, 3 cups water, tamarind pulp, sambar powder, salt and chopped dania leaves. Bring to a boil.

5. 5

   Reduce heat and simmer 12 minutes until everything melds into a soup-thick sambar.

6. 6

   In a small pan heat 1 tsp oil. Add a few mustard seeds and curry leaves. Pour the hot tempering over the sambar.

7. 7

   Serve hot with rice, dosa, idli or vada.