#Sambar ( South Indian Lentil Curry)

Sambar is a lentil-based vegetable curry, cooked with yellow split pigeon pea (Toor Dhal)  and tamarind broth. A spice powder called 'Sambar Powder' is used in this recipe for the flavour enhancement of this curry. It is popular in South Indian cuisines. This curry is a most common dish which is served in most of the south Indian houses regularly. Here is my style of recipe and lets get into it....😊

Serves :- 2-3 people
Preparation time :- 15 minutes
Cooking time :- 30 - 40 minutes (approximately) 
Measurements :- in grams and in spoons

*tbsp - Tablespoon
*tsp   - Teaspoon

Ingredients

1. Toor dal - 100 grams / ½ cup ( or Masoor dhal which is also called Red lentils)
2. Mixed vegetables - 250 grams / 1 cup
3. Shallots - 4to 5 medium sized
4. Garlic - 3 cloves
5. Tomato - 1 large sized
6. Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
7. Sambar powder - 1½ tbsp ( from Indian store) 
8. Tamarind paste - ½ tbsp
9. Oil - 1 tbsp
10. Mustard seeds - ½ tsp
11. Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
12. Curry leaves - few ( fresh or dried )
13. Salt - as required 
14. Coriander leaves - few for garnish 

Method 

1. In a bowl add the lentil / dhal and wash it with water three times. Then add the dhal and add 1½ cups of water (300 ml). Let it soak for 20 minutes. 
2. In a pressure cooker add the soaked lentil along with water, add 1 tsp salt, 2 tsp of oil, 1 clove of garlic and ½ tsp of turmeric powder. Cook it for 20 minutes in medium high heat. If you do not have pressure cooker use a large pot for cooking. Cook it for 30-40 minutes in medium heat. 
3. Mean while chop the vegetables, onion and garlic and tomatoes. In a separate pan add oil and heat it up. Then add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, onion and garlic. Saute it for 1 minute. 
4. Then add tomatoes, turmeric powder and sambar powder, sauté it for 30 seconds. You could reduce the sambar powder quantity according to your spicy level. 
5. Then add vegetables, salt and ½ cup water. Close the pan and cook the vegetables for 15 - 20 minutes in a medium heat. In between check the lentil and the vegetables cooking and keep stirring.   
6. When the lentil and vegetables are cooked, add the cooked lentil mix into the vegetable cooking pan. Give a mix and check the salt and consistency of the sambar. If you like your sambar thin consistency you could add water little bit. 
7. Finally boil the sambar for 2 minutes in very low heat. Adjust your salt, add curry leaves and coriander leaves. That is it your sambar is ready. 

Enjoy your hot sambar with hot rice or dosa or idli or vada....!!!😊😊

For any doubts and questions post it in the comment section below