Moong Dal Sambar

This sambar I, have enjoyed, during my stay in Bangalore. I use to have this for breakfast every day with idli, dosa or vadas and filter coffee. I made it for our lunch along with Instant Urad Dal Flour & Rava Medhu Vadas. This was a classic combo which revived memories of my stay in Bangalore.

Serves 4 to 5
Ingredients
9 -10 Sambar Onions/Shallots - peeled
2 Small Tomatoes - chopped finely
A Small Lime size Tamarind - soaked in 1/4 cup warm water
½ Cup Yellow Moong Dal
1 Teaspoon Sambar Powder
¼ Teaspoon Turmeric powder
A Pinch Asafoetida
Salt to taste
1 Tablespoon Oil
A Sprig Curry Leaves
¼ Cup Packed Freshly Grated Coconut
For the Masala  
1 Teaspoon Oil
1 Tablespoon Coriander seeds
1 Teaspoon Chana Dal
4 Whole Dry Red Chillies
¼ Cumin Seeds
10 Grains Fenugreek Seeds
For the Tadka 
1 Teaspoon Mustard Seeds
2 Dry Red Chillies
A Sprig Curry Leaves
1 Tablespoon Oil
A Pinch of Asafoetida  

Method 

Fry all the ingredients under Masala in a teaspoon of oil separately, till fragrant and they start to turn brown. Grind the roasted ingredients well. I used half of the dry powdered masala ( keep the remaining in a airtight container with a label and used it the next time to make  sambar) and again ground it along with the freshly grated coconut and a little water to a thick fine smooth masala paste.

Wash and soak the dal for 30 minutes. Then pressure cook the dal for 3 whistles on high flame by adding  1½ cup water and a pinch of turmeric powder to it.

In a pan, heat a tablespoon of oil and fry the sambar onions for a minute, add the tomatoes and cook till tomatoes become mushy, 

add the tamarind extract(soak very little tamarind in hot water and extract juice), sambar powder, turmeric powder, curry leaves and salt, stir well. Now add the cooked moong dal and the ground paste. Add 2 cups of water or as per your desired consistency. 

Bring this to a rolling boil and then reduce to flame to low, let it simmer for 8 -10 minutes, keep stirring after every two minutes so that the dal does not settle to the bottom of the pan and get burnt. Taste for salt and seasonings add if needed according to your taste. Switch off the flame.

Now let's make the Tadka

Heat oil in a tadka pan add the mustard seeds, when they splutter add the red chillies, asafoetida and curry leaves. Stir this with a spoon and pour it over the dal. Cover and let it sit for 10 minutes. Serve hot garnished with coriander leaves.

Enjoy with Instant Urad Dal Flour & Rava Medhu Vadas
 or ildi, dosa or even steamed rice.
Labels : South Indian,Moong Dal, Sambar, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten free, Main course, Breakfast, Healthy