This is a classic Andhra-style dal/lentil stew made by cooking vegetables in lentil and very mild spices, hence the name ‘mild sambar’. This is eaten with plain rice and a dry Indian curry on the side. It is quick to make and needs no special masala powders to prepare. Many people do add some spices to suit their taste but I prefer it without any spices.
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Serves: 2 |
Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 15 mins |
Ingredients:
Toor dal/Kandipappu – 1/3 cup
Radish/mulangi – 1, small (peeled and cut into thin discs)
Drumstick (vegetable) – ¼ cup (cut into 1 inch long sticks)
Tamarind pulp/juice – 2 tbsp
Tomato – 1, small (roughly chopped)
Green chili – 2 (slit lengthwise)
Turmeric powder – ½ tsp
Coriander leaves – 1 tsp (very finely chopped)
Oil – 1 tsp
Salt – to taste
For tadka/seasoning:
Mustard seeds – ½ tsp
Cumin seeds/jeera -1/2 tsp
Curry leaves – 5
Asafoetida/hing – ¼ tsp
Oil – 1 tsp
Procedure:
- Cook the dal in 1 cup water till it completely gets mashed. The best way to do this is to cook it in a pressure cooker. Set aside.
- Heat 1 tsp oil in a kadai/saucepan and add the drumsticks, radish, turmeric powder, a pinch of salt, 1/2 cup water. Cover and cook till vegetables are cooked.
- Into this add the tomato, green chili, cooked dal, tamarind juice and 1 cup water. Season with salt and red chili powder (if required) and simmer for about 5 minutes.
- In a separate pan, prepare tadka by heating 1 tsp oil. Add the mustard seeds and cumin seeds. When they splutter, add the curry leaves and hing and pour this into the simmering dal stew.
- Give a good mix, add the coriander leaves and simmer for another minute and remove from heat.
- Serve hot with plain rice and a dash of desi ghee.!!!
