Instant Sambar | Simple way to make Sambar

Prep & cooking time: 20 to 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup of toor dhal

1 tsp tamarind paste

1 onion

1 tomato

1 green chilly (optional)

2-3 garlic cloves

¼ tsp fenugreek seeds          

1tsp sambar powder

½ tsp turmeric powder

Salt

To temper

½ tsp mustard

Few curry leaves

1-2 red chillies

Oil 

How to make it

• Wash and soak toor dhal and fenugreek seeds together with 2 cups of water for about 20 minutes.
• Pressure-cook the soaked dhal along with sliced onions, chopped tomatoes and slit green chillies (if using). Add a drop of oil with this, also add garlic pods and turmeric powder along with this and cook for 2-3 whistles in medium flame. Allow it to cool for some time and mash the dhal slightly using a ladle.

• Add the tamarind paste and check for salt. Dilute it with little more water, if needed.

• Allow it to boil for another 5 minutes.
• Finally add sambar powder to the boiling gravy. Don’t allow to boil for long time after adding masala.

• Temper with the items given.
• Serve hot with steamed rice.

Notes:

1. Add any veggies of choice along with the dhal while cooking. I used drumsticks for most of my sambar recipes. Adding vegetables is completely optional.