Sambar

Difficulty: Easy | Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 25 mins| Yield: 5-6 servings

INGREDIENTS
½ cup Toor Dal
3 small Potatoes
1 large Onion
2 small Tomatoes
7-8 Ladies Finger* (Okra)
2 Drum Sticks*
2 tbsp Tamarind**
½ tsp Mustard Seeds
2 Dry Red Chillie**
10-12 Curry Leaves
2 tbsp Coriander Leaves
4 tbsp Sambar Powder**
2 tbsp Oil
Salt to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Clean Clean the vegetables. Cut the potatoes into halves. Slice the onions and the tomatoes into 8 pieces each. Cut the ladies fingers and the drumsticks into 3” long pieces.
2. Boil the dal and the potatoes and leave them aside.
3. In a pan heat the oil and add the mustard seeds, red chillies and the curry leaves.
   
4. Once the mustard seeds starts to splutter, add the ladies finger and the drum sticks.
   
5. Saute' them for a minute or so and then add the onions.
6. Once the onions are translucent add the boiled potatoes, tomatoes and the dal.
7. Add 2 cups of water and salt according to taste and simmer and cook for 10-15 mins.
8. Mix the tamarind in ¼ cup of water (If dry tamarind is used soak it in advance). Strain and add it to the sambar.
9. Now add the coriander leaves and sambar masala powder.
10. Cook on high flame for another 3-4 minutes.
11. Serve hot with Dosa/Idli/Uttapam or simply with plain rice.

NOTES
*You may add other vegetables also like brinjal, tapioca, ridge gourd etc.
**Depending on your taste you may vary the quantities of these.