Sambar

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Ingredients

• 1 cup toor dal
• 2 medium onions
• 1 large tomato
• 2 carrots
• 2 drumsticks
• 2 small eggplants
• 1/2 cup tamarind juice
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp urad dal
• 2 dried red chilies
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp sambar powder
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves, for garnish

Instructions

1. Wash the toor dal and pressure-cook it until soft and mushy.
2. Dice the onions, tomato, carrots, drumsticks, and eggplants, and set aside.
3. Heat oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds. Let them crackle for a few seconds.
4. Add the urad dal and dried red chilies, and cook for a minute.
5. Add the diced onions and cook until golden brown.
6. Add the diced vegetables and cook for a few minutes until slightly softened.
7. Pour in the tamarind juice and mix well.
8. Add the turmeric powder, sambar powder, and salt to taste.
9. Simmer for 10 minutes until the vegetables are fully cooked.
10. Add the cooked toor dal and mix well.
11. Simmer for 5 minutes on low heat.
12. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve hot with rice.