SOUTH INDIAN SAMBAR

Sambar is a very important food item with out which the feast is not complete.....


Ingredients:

Toor Dal - 3 - 4 cups
Bottle gourd - 1 cup
Tomato - 1
Onion - 1
Curry leaves - as per wish
Coconut powder - 2 tbsp
Sambar Powder - 3 tbsp
Coriander Powder - 1tbsp
Oil - 1 tbsp
asfoetida - 1 tsp
Tamarind paste - 2 tbsp
Garlic - 2 pods
Garlic paste - 1/2 tbsp
Mustard seeds, cumin seeds , methi seeds- 1tsp each
Red chillies - 4-5 no
Water- 1/2 l
Turmeric powder - 2 tsp
Salt- 3 tbsp
Coriander - 1/2 bunch

Preparation

Cook toor dal pouring enough water in a pressure cooker along with the vegetables.
In a pan put oil and heat it. Add mustard seeds , cumin seeds and methi till they are burst and add asfoetida to it . Then add garlic paste and fry for some time along with garlic pieces. Once they are red add red chillies too .Here the flame should be moderate not too low nor too high. Then add the cooked vegetables and cook for a while. Now take the tamarind paste and mix it in about 1/2 l water . Add this to the vegetables. and increase the flame and bring it to boil. Simmer the flame.Now add sambar powder and coriander powder and bring it 2 boil increasing the flame. Add salt , turmeric powder , curry leaves and dry coconut powder. Now lower the flame and add dal well mashed made into a nice paste .
Mix well leave it in high flame for a few seconds. Now lower the flame and leave it for about 10 to 15 min. Now add coriander and curry leaves to serve with rice or idli as desired...
Serving size is for 20 people . So reduce the ingredients as per the requirement.