Arrachu vitta sambhar

Steps

• 1

  Before prep for sambhar, cook 1/2 cup tuvar daal in pressure cooker or instant pot. You will need about 3 -4 medium size ladles of cooked daal.

• 2

  Place a 2 or 3 qt pot with 4 cups of water on medium heat. ( final sambhar quantity almost doubles). When water is warm, add tamarind concentrate and stir the mixture. Add turmeric, salt, hing and stir well. When the liquid begins to boil, add the pearl onions and few curry leaves. Note: you can substitute the onions with- carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, drumstick, pumpkin, butternut squash, radish, or a combo of these vegetables.

• 3

  Allow the liquid to boil and reduce a little, till the raw tamarind smell is evaporated. While it boils grind the wet masala ingredients to a smooth paste. Set aside.

• 4

  When liquid is reduced and vegetables are cooked, add the cooked daal. Stir the mixture and allow it to boil for a minute or two.

• 5

  Add the wet masala and mix well. Keep the flame on low and wait for the mixture to boil. If the mixture is thick, add little water to dilute it. Taste the sambhar to check for spiciness and salt. If too spicy, add 1 tsp of jaggery or more daal. Add fresh cilantro leaves. Off the flame.

• 6

  Heat a little oil in the seasoning pan. When heated add mustard seeds . Add methi seeds and 1 small red chilli, hing when mustard seeds splutter. Add the seasoning to the sambhar.

• 7

  Serve sambhar hot. Enjoy with rice or idli or dosa.