How to make sambar recipe ?

 Sambar is a popular South Indian dish made with lentils and vegetables, flavored with a blend of spices. Here's a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

For the dal:

1 cup toor dal (pigeon peas)

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

2.5 cups water

For the vegetables:

1 drumstick (cut into pieces)

1/2 cup diced pumpkin

1/2 cup diced carrots

1/2 cup diced beans

1/2 cup diced brinjal (eggplant)

2 tomatoes (chopped)

Tamarind (lemon-sized ball or 1 tbsp tamarind paste)

2 cups water

For the sambar masala:

2 tbsp sambar powder (store-bought or homemade)

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

Salt (to taste)

For tempering:

2 tbsp oil or ghee

1 tsp mustard seeds

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

2 dried red chilies

A pinch of asafoetida (hing)

8–10 curry leaves

Garnish:

Fresh coriander leaves (chopped)

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Instructions:

1. Cook the dal:

1. Rinse the toor dal thoroughly.

2. Pressure cook it with turmeric and water for 3–4 whistles until soft.

3. Mash the cooked dal and set aside.

2. Prepare tamarind water:

Soak tamarind in warm water for 10 minutes, extract the juice, and discard the pulp. If using tamarind paste, dilute it in water.

3. Cook the vegetables:

1. Add the chopped vegetables (except tomatoes) to a pot with 2 cups of water, turmeric powder, and salt.

2. Cook until the vegetables are tender. Add chopped tomatoes and cook for another 5 minutes.

4. Make the sambar:

1. Add the mashed dal to the cooked vegetables.

2. Stir in the tamarind water, sambar powder, and additional salt if needed.

3. Simmer for 10–12 minutes until the flavors blend.

5. Temper the sambar:

1. Heat oil or ghee in a small pan.

2. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.

3. Add cumin seeds, red chilies, asafoetida, and curry leaves.

4. Pour this tempering over the sambar.

6. Garnish:

Sprinkle with chopped coriander leaves.

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Serve:

Serve hot with steamed rice, idli, dosa, or vada. Enjoy your flavorful sambar!