Vendekka Sambar & Quick Sambar Powder/ Okra stewed with lentils and mild spices

Sambar  is one of my favorite dal preparation and it is cooked in all south indian homes  almost regularly and served with  idli(steamed rice and lentil cake) for breakfast or with rice for lunch . Sambar can be enjoyed like a soup too. Any vegetable can be  used  for sambar but some vegetables which works really well and gives the soup a unique taste are drumstick, radish,okra and pearl onions. I prepared this okra sambar and though of documenting it.

Sometimes when i don't have sambar powder on hand i whip up a quick version  and works really well. It may not replace the real sambar powder in your pantry but hey a tasty shortcut on hand never hurts :)

Simple Sambar Powder :

Coriander Powder -2 tbsp

Chilli Powder -1 tbsp

Tumeric Powder -1/2 tsp

Fenugreek Powder -1/2 tsp

Hing -1/4 tsp

Sambar Recipe
For Step 1:
Thuvar Dal/ Split Pegion Pea  - 1/4 cup

Tumeric - 1/4 tsp

Salt

Tamarind  - small ball soaked in hot water , then mash to extract the liquid.

or

Tomato (canned) - 1/2 cup, mashed
Sambar Pw - 2 tsp


For Step 2 :

Onion - 1/4 cup  sliced thin 

Okra  - 1/4 cup chunky pieces
Mustatrd -1/2 tsp

Curry leaves -3-4

Dry Red Chilli - 2

Ghee -1 tsp

Oil -1 tsp

Step 1: 

1. Cook  dal ,turmeric in 11/2 cup of water . 

2. If using pressure cooker  cook for for 2-3 whistles.

3. Mash the dal well and keep back on fire.

4. Add sambar masala , salt to taste to the dal .
5. Add tamarind extract /tomtato to the dal

6. Add a tsp jaggery /sugar and simmer.

Step 2:

7. Heat oil and ghee and add mustard seeds .
8. When mustard start popping add whole chilli ,curry leaves.
9. Add onion and okra and cook till okra is tender.
10. Now add the dal mixture from the step 1 to the okra mixture .
11. Simmer for another 5 minutes and you are ready to serve.