Sambar

Sambar is a very popular dish in South India. It is served with white rice or even as a side dish for idli, dosa and pongal.My mothers sambar is the best, I dont know whether its because of the affection with her.I learned this recipe from her.
  

Ingredients:

Toor dal - 1/4 cup
Tamarind - small lemon size
Tomato - 1 
Sambar Onion - 4
Mixed Vegetables - 1 cup ( I used carrot, potato,beans)
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Sambar Powder - 2 tsp or (Chilli pwdr-1tsp,Coriander pwdr-2 tsp,Jeera pwdr- 1/2 tsp)
Hing - a pinch
Salt as required 
Mustard - 1 tsp
Urad dhal - 1 tsp (split)
Curry leaves few
Coriander leaves
Coconut flakes - 1 tsp
Oil - 2 tsp
Salt as required 

Method:


1. Soak tamarind in hot water and extract 1 1/2 cups of tamarind juice and discard the pulp.

2. Pressure cook the dal with turmeric powder, hing and shallots.

3. Heat a tbsp of oil in a vessel, add mustard seeds,when it splutters,add urad dhal,curry leaves.and vegetables saute for a few minutes.

4. Then add tamarind water,turmeric powder,salt as needed,sambar powder and water as required.

5. Let it boil until the vegetables are cooked well.

6. Mash the dal well and add to the sambar.

7. Garnish with coriander leaves, coconut flakes and serve with steamed rice.