Mixed Vegetable Sambar

Method

1. 1

   Cook toor dal: Wash half cup toor dal. Pressure cook with 1.5 cups water and half tsp turmeric for 4 whistles. Mash completely.

2. 2

   Prepare vegetables: Dice 1 carrot, 5 beans and 1 potato into 1-cm pieces. Separate 3-4 drumstick pieces if available.

3. 3

   Soak tamarind: Soak a marble-sized tamarind in 1 cup warm water 15 minutes. Extract pulp and strain.

4. 4

   Cook vegetables in tamarind: Add tamarind water, all vegetables, half tsp turmeric, 1 tsp red chilli powder, 1 tsp coriander powder, 1.5 tsp sambar powder and salt to a pan. Boil and cook 10-12 minutes until vegetables are tender.

5. 5

   Add mashed dal: Add mashed toor dal. Add half cup water and stir well.

6. 6

   Simmer: Simmer 8-10 minutes until all flavours are blended.

7. 7

   Make tempering: Heat 2 tbsp oil. Add 1 tsp mustard seeds — when they pop add half tsp cumin seeds.

8. 8

   Add aromatics: Add 2 dried red chillies, 1 sprig curry leaves and a pinch of asafoetida. Fry 30 seconds.

9. 9

   Add tempering: Pour tempering into the sambar.

10. 10

    Serve: Adjust salt and consistency. Mixed vegetable sambar is hearty and nutritious. Serve with steamed rice, idli or dosa.