Vegetable Sambar is a famous dish in Southern India where no marriage feast would occur without it. I love sambar because of its simpleness in taste and preparation.

Ingredients:

Vegetables (cut) - 1 cup
Onion (finely chopped) - 1/2
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
Curry leaves - 5
Tamarind puree - 1 1/2 cups
Thor daal - 1/2 cup
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Red Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
Sambar powder - 2 1/2 tsp
Grated coconut - 1/4 cup (optional)
Salt
Asafoetida
Oil

Direction:

1. Pressure cook thor daal along with 1 1/2 cups of water, turmeric powder, cut vegetables and 2 tsp oil (4 whistles should do).

2. In a pan, heat 5 tsp of oil and add mustard seeds, curry leaves and onion. Fry till onion becomes transparent. Remove from heat.

3. Add tamarind puree and the cooked vegetables and daal to the pan.

4. Add red chilli powder, sambar powder, salt and asafoetida.

5. Boil the sambar for 7-10 minutes. Garnish with grated coconut.

6. Vegetable Sambar can be served with rice and any side dish goes well with it.