Recipe #13: Manja sambar

Ingredients:

Toor dal - 1 cup

Red chillies - 4-5

2 small onions

Curry leaves

Mustard

Asafoetida

Tamarind water (after straining the pulp)

Salt

Preparation:

1. Cook toor dal till it is soft
2. Roast 4-5 red chillies lightly in little oil
3. In a mixer jar grind both along with salt and very little water. The dal should not become too watery, chilly flakes can be here and there 
4. Separately season chopped onions, curry leaves, mustard and asafoetida till the onion turns brown
5. In a kadai, add the dal mix. Pour in the tamarind water into this mix and boil to remove the raw flavour of the tamarind. Add tamarind according to taste - typically just enough for the dal to have a slightly tangy taste. Once this mixture comes to a boil, add the seasoning and boil for few seconds. Sambar is ready to serve.