Sambar

Sambar, the perfect accompaniment to any south indian tiffin. Sambar with potato fry, steaming white rice and appalam is sure hit and favorite to many of us. There are variety of sambars, is one of the easiest recipe which I learnt from my mother-in-law. She makes very delicious food both vegetarian and non vegetarian. Later on I will share the other recipes I learnt from her. For this recipe I am using only carrots.  You can add any vegetable like brinjal, drumstick, avarakkai, ladies finger etc., or just with onions(big or small). If you are using drumstick add only when you are adding tuvar dhal. The advantage of this Sambar is that if freezes well n can be microwaved n had fresh. Just cool them n pour in microwave containers n freeze, Can stay in the freezer for a month. Sending them to Preethi's Home Alone- Rescue Avi event

You need
Tuvar dhal                                                           1 cup
Onion( chopped into big pieces)                           3/4 cup
Tomato (chopped)                                               1/2 cup
Carrot (chopped diagonally)                                 1/4 cup
Sambhar powder*                                                2 tsp
Turmeric powder                                                  1/2 tsp
Thick Tamarind extract                                         1 1/2tbsp
Asafoetida                                                            a small pinch

To Temper**
Oil                                          1 tbsp
Karivadagam                           1 tsp

Preparation
Pressure cook tuvar dhal and mash it.
In a sauce pan heat the oil and add the karivadagam. Fry for 30seconds.
Add the onions. Fry till the edges turn brown.
Add the tomatoes and the carrot***. Fry for 1 minute.
Add the sambar powder and turmeric. Fry for 1 minute.

Pour 1 cup of water, add salt. Give a boil and sim for 15 minutes.
Add the mashed dhal, tamarind extract( you can always increase or decrease the amount depending on the tamarind you use) Asafoetida and salt. Add enough water to get the right consistency.
Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring in
Tasty sambar is ready to serve.
Bon Appetite!

* Sambar powder recipe
Coriander             1/2kg
Tur dhal                100gms
Mustard                50gms
Dry chilli               1/2kg
Raw rice               100gms
Jeera                    50gms
Chana dal             100gms
Fenugreek            50gms
Fennel seeds         25 gms
Pepper                 50gms
Curry leaves          few
Dry roast the above ingredients and grind together with 50gms turmeric powder. Sieve and store it in Air tight container

**If you dont have karivadagam then temper with 1/2 tsp mustard seeds, 2-3 dry chilli and curry leaves


***If you are using any other vegetable you can add it in this stage