In kitchen 14

Sambhar Dal: for those who already know the basics of cooking it.

Toor dal and a few vegetables.

I usually use the MTR Sambhar masala. It also has cooking instructions.

Some vegetables, such as drumsticks make the sambhar taste excellent, but these are not easily available. Use Okra or ‘bhindi’ instead. The effect is almost the same.

Sweet pumpkin pieces, carrot and brinjals also taste very good in a sanbhar dal.

Boil chunks of vegetables with some salt.

Boil toor dal with sambhar masala.

Heat oil, add mustard seeds and curry leaves.

Add boiled dal and vegetables and pressure cook.

At the end, add melted sugarcane jaggery mixed with tamarind paste. In place of jaggery you can also use enough sugar.

NOTE: You don’t always need to cook dosa or idlis to go with sambhar dal. Just have steamed rice. Sambhar and rice make a nutritious quick lunch at home.