SAMBAR.................... he loves it.......... :)

let me clear your doubt first, "he" implies to my father #ashok.francis. My father loves south Indian food, and especially sambar, cz it constitutes of lentils, vegetables and a hint of sourness because of tamarind pulp in it................... sounds palatable, isn't it?!
My bhabhi is a south Indian from Kerala and she is an expert in making sambar, actually, I am quite competitive in nature.......... :-p
that's why I tried this recipe because I wanted to see the contented look on my father's and mother's face................ I thought this dish was a failure cz making sambar is not an easy process.... believe you me....... woof!!!!
this takes time and patience and a lot of spice mixture as well............ :p

so let's see how it's cooked..........
INGREDIENTS-

1. one small bowl of toor dal
2. chopped brinjal big chunks
3. fried big chunks of onion chopped
4. fried ladyfinger
5. handful of garlic cloves.
6. lots of finely chopped coriander.
7. thick tamarind pulp(as per sourness wanted)
8. oil
9. mustard seeds
10. hinsg(asafeotida)
11. curry leaves
12. fenugreek seeds
13. salt
14. red chilly powder
15. turmeric powder
16. sambar masala(i made my own at home)
17. cumin seeds
18. whole green chillies
19. whole dried red chillies

PROCESS-

• cook the toor lentil with water, no salt, in a pressure cooker for about 3-4 whistles ill its mushy.
• than throw all the vegetables,salt,turmeric ,red chilly powder and sambar masala into it, and pressure cook it for 1-2 whistles with water till the vegetables are cooked properly.
• now, the indian cracklng time, i love the crackling sound........... throw mustard,febugreek seeds into hot sizzling oil till it crackles dn throw red dried chilly , curry leaves ,hing into iit and chuck this into the pressure cooker.
• now the last step, add tamarind pulp to the ready sambar and cook for 15minutes and throw chopped coriander.
• serve hot, enjot with rice....................... and see the contented smile on your loved onces face.. :-)

ABHILASHA.FRANCIS