Sambar with Coconut

Ingredients:

1. Onion - 1 large chopped
2. Tomato - 1 medium chopped
3. Drumsticks - 8-10 pieces
4. Carrot - 1 sliced
5. Tur dal - 11/2 cup boiled and smashed
6. Tamarind pulp - 2 tbsp
7. Haldi - a pinch
8. Jaggery - 1 tsp/as per taste
9. Salt - as per taste
10. Water - 1 cup/as required
11. Coriander leaves - for garnish

For sambar Masala:

1. Coriander seeds - 1 tsp
2. Whole red chillies - 4-5
3. Peppercorns - 3-4
4. Cloves - 3
5. Cinnamon - a small stick
6. Fenugreek/Methi seeds - 1/2 tsp
7. Chanadal - 1 tsp
8. Raw rice - 1/2 tsp
9. Ginger - a small piece
10. Dry/Fresh coconut - 1/2 cup
11. Oil - 1 tbsp

For Tempering:

1. Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
2. Hing - 1/2 tsp
3. Curry leaves - 10-12 leaves
4. Oil - 1 tbsp

Method:

• Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan. Roast by adding all ingredients one by one mentioned under Sambar masala.. Coriander seeds, peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon, methi seeds, chanadal, red chillies, raw rice, ginger and coconut till you get nice aroma and is light brown in colour. Once cooled grind by adding little water to a fine thick paste.
• In the same pan add all vegetables.. drumsticks, carrot, and onion(use any vegetables of your choice) with enough water and boil till 3/4th done.
• Add Tomatoes, cover with a lid and boil for 2-3 mins till tomatoes are soft.
• Add Ground Sambar Masala, haldi and tamarind pulp. Give it a nice stir and cook for 4-5 mins.
• Add boiled and smashed tur dal. Mix well.
• Add Salt and jaggery as per taste.
• Add water as per the consistency required. Cover with a lid and cook for another 10-12 mins.
• Give tempering of Mustard seeds, hing and curry leaves in 1 tbsp oil.
• Garnish with coriander leaves.
• Serve with idli or dosa.