Drumstick Sambar

Sambar is a popular traditional South Indian dish, made with yellow lentils (Toor dhal) and vegetable. You can prepare Sambar with vegetables like Okra, Brinjal, Drumstick, Radish, Carrot, Potato, Chayote squash, etc. My favorite Sambar would be with drumstick as it adds flavor to the Sambar.  Drumsticks can be substituted by other vegetable of your choice. Sambar can be served with cooked rice, Idlies, Dosais or Pongal. Enjoy!

Ingredients

 

Toor dhal - 1 cup

Drumstick - 3 (cut in 3 inch size)

Onion - 1 medium (cut lengthwise)

Garlic - 2-3 pods 

Tomato - 1 

Green chillies - 3-4

Tamarind - lemon size

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Sambar powder - 1 tsp

Asafotedia - a pinch

Salt

Curry leaves

Cilantro leaves

Mustard - 1/4 tsp

Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp

Method

Cook the dhal in a pressure cooker along with turmeric powder and garlic.  Soak the tamarind in warm water and extract the pulp.

 
Heat oil in a pan, and add mustard and cumin seeds.  When the seeds splutter, add the onions, green chillies and curry leaves.  Saute the Onions until they are pink in color.  Add the chopped tomatoes and fry the mixture until the tomatoes are soft. 

Add salt, sambar powder and Asafotedia and add the drumstick now.  Add the tamarind extract and let the drumstick cook.

Add the mixture from the pan to the cooked dhal and simmer for few minutes.  Check for salt and consistency of the sambar.  The sambar shouldn't be very thick or watery.  Garnish the sambar with Cilantro leaves.

Enjoy the sambar with Rice, Idlies, Dosai  or Pongal.