Sambar

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup toor dal,
2. 4-5 strips tamarind soaked for 5 minutes
3. 1 tbsp. sugar,
4. 2 tbsp. sambar masala,
5. 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder,
6. 1 tsp. dhania powder,
7. 1 tsp. red chilli powder,
8. 1/2 tsp. each cumin and mustard seeds, ,
9. 3 whole red chillies,
10. 1 stalk curry leaves,
11. 4 onions,
12. 1/2 cup pumpkin or bottle gourd boiled and cubed,
13. 1 large tomato,
14. 1 tbsp. chopped coriander leaves,
15. 2-3 flakes garlic,
16. salt to taste,
17. 2 tbsp. oil.

Preparation:  Add tamarind, 1/2 tomato & 1 onion chopped, to the dal. Pressure cook till dal is done very soft. (Approx. 4 whistles). Remove dal and beat with a whisk or churner till smooth. Grind to a paste, 1 onion, 1/4 tomato, jaggery, garlic, all dry masalas. Chop the remaining onion and tomato to medium or fine pieces. Heat oil, add seeds , curry leaves and allow to splutter. Add onion, pumpkin, tomato and stir fry for 2 minutes. Add paste, and cook for further 2 minutes. Add dal and bring to a boil on high. Add enough water to get sambar consistency. Check and adjust masalas as required. Simmer for 12-15 minutes on low, till the aroma exudes. Add chopped coriander before serving. Serve steaming hot with hot idlis, coconut chutney and ghee.