Dietitian-style Sambar

Ingredients

• •¾ cup toor dal (pressure-cooked soft)
• •1 small onion, 1 small tomato, 1 drumstick, ¼ cup each: bottle gourd, pumpkin, carrot
• •Small lemon-size tamarind soaked in warm water (or 1 tsp paste)
• •1.5 tsp sambar powder, ¼ tsp turmeric, pinch asafoetida
• •1 tsp mustard, 1 sprig curry leaves, 1 dry red chilli
• •Salt, 1 tsp oil, coriander

Method

1. 1

   Mash the cooked toor dal lightly and keep aside.

2. 2

   In a pot, bring 2 cups water with vegetables, turmeric and salt to a boil. Simmer 10 min until just tender.

3. 3

   Stir in tamarind extract and sambar powder. Simmer 5 min.

4. 4

   Add the mashed dal, mix well and simmer 3 more min. Adjust consistency with hot water.

5. 5

   Prepare tadka: heat oil, splutter mustard, add asafoetida, red chilli and curry leaves.

6. 6

   Pour tadka over the sambar. Finish with coriander. Serve with idli, dosa or rice.