Masala Sambar

MASALA SAMBAR

Ingredients:

thuvar dal - 1 cup

tomato - 1 (chopped)

salt to taste

hing - 1/4 tsp

turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp

To grind:

coconut - 4 tbsp (grated)

red chillies - 15

corriander seeds - 1 tsp

pepper - 1/2 tsp

cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp

fenugreek seeds - 3/4th tsp

onion - 1 chopped

oil - 1 tsp

To fry:

onion - 1 (chopped)

mustard seeds - 1 tsp

urad dal - 1/2 tsp 

curry leaves - 10 - 15

oil - 1 tbsp

Tamarind extract - 2 tbsp

corriander leaves - 2 tsp (chopped)

Method:

- add dal, tomato, salt, hing, turmeric powder and some water in a pressure cooker and cook till they are soft and mushy

- add 1 tsp of oil in a pan and add coconut,corriander seeds, red chillies, pepper, cumin seeds , fenugreek seeds, onion and fry till you get a lovely aroma

- allow them to cook and grind to a fine paste

- in a pan add oil and add mustard seeds when the oil is hot.

- add the urad dal and curry leaves and fry

- add the chopped onion and fry till they are golden brown

- add the ground paste and fry for 4 - 5 mins till the raw smell is gone

- now add the tamarind extract and the dal mixture

- allow them to cook 

- add the chopped corriander leaves and cook till they arre done and serve.

Source:

My friend Usha..

Note:

When my friend gave me this recipe, she asked me to add some vegetables as well. But I was happy to prepare this way as usually my DH doesnt like vegetables in Sambar. You can cook fry vegetables and pressure cook for 1 whistle , then add them to the sambar as well. Goes well with Kerala rice and papad.