Arachu Vitta Sambar

Ingredients:

1.    ½  cup toor dal

2.    3 ½  tbsp. sesame oil

3.    ½ tsp. cooking oil

4.    ¼ tsp. mustard seeds

5.    ¼ tsp. cumin seeds

6.    1 sprig curry leaves

7.    a pinch of asafoetida (Hing)

8.    15 small onions (Indian shallots)

9.    2 drum stick (cut into pieces)

10.  1 tomato, chopped

11.  ½ tsp. turmeric powder

12.  Red chilli powder(Based on your spice level )

13.  Salt to taste

14.  gooseberry size tamarind

For the sambar masala:

1.    1 tsp. chana dal

2.    1 tbsp. coriander seeds

3.    ½  tsp. fenugreek seeds

4.    ¼ Black pepper

5.    5-6  red chillies

6.    ¼  asafoetida (hing)

7.    2 tbsp. fresh shredded coconut

Pre-preparation:

       Before making sambar we need to

          1.    Cook dhal

          2.    Make sambar masala

          3.    Soak tamarind and extract pulp.
You can also view my recipe on how to extract and store tamarind pulp for a long period of time. That way, pulp need not be prepared every time.

Cooking dhal:

1.    In a pressure cooker add

·      ½ cup washed toor dhal

·      ½ tsp. turmeric powder

·      ½ tsp. cooking oil.

·      a pinch of asafoetida (Hing)

·      1 ½ cup water

And pressure cook for 5 whistles then mashed it and keep it aside.

For tamarind juice:

1.    In a bowl take gooseberry size tamarind and add ¾ cup of water and soak it for 20 minutes.

2.    After 20 minutes using hand mash the tamarind along with the water and filter and keep the juice aside.

Making sambar masala:

1.    Heat a kadai and add the following

·         1 tsp.chana dal

·         1 tbsp.coriander seeds

·         ½ tsp.fenugreek seeds

·         ¼ tsp.Black pepper

·         ¼ tsp. asafoetida (Hing)

·         5-6  red chillies

And dry roast it for 2 to 3 minutes

2.    Now add 2 tbsp.freshly shredded coconut and fry it for another 40 seconds.

3.    Now transfer all the roasted ingredients into a mixer jar and make it into a fine paste by adding water. Keep it aside.

Now, let's come to the main preparation:

For making sambar:

1.    Heat a kadai and add 3 tbsp. of sesame oil

2.    Once the oil is heated add 15 small onion and sauté till it becomes transparent.

3.    Now add drumstick pieces and sauté it for 2- 3 minutes.

4.    After 3 minutes add chopped tomato and sauté it for 2 minutes. 

5.    Now add

·   ½ tsp. turmeric powder

·   Red chilli powder(Based on your spice level )

·   Salt to taste

Just give 1 sauté and add ¼ cup water. Cover and cook for 1 minute.

6.    After 1 minute add tamarind juice. Mix it well. Cover again and cook for 2 minutes or till the raw smell goes.

7.    Now add the freshly made sambar masala mix it well and give 1 boil

8.    Now add the cooked dhal mix it well and let it boil for 1 minute.

9.    Finally, add tempering and switch off the stove.

For tempering:

1.    Heat a Kadai by adding ½ tbsp of sesame oil

2.    Once the oil is heated add

·         ¼ tsp. mustard seeds

·         ¼ tsp. cumin seeds

     Allow them to splutter.

3.    Once it splutters add few curry leaves and switch off the stove.

4.    Finally, add this tempering into the sambar and switch of the stove.

Now flavour-full arachu-vitta sambar is ready to serve with hot steamed rice.