Sambars Recipes - Lentil Sambar

Ingredients

• 75 g/3 oz/1/2 cup red lentils

• 15 ml/1 tbsp oil

• 5 ml/1 tsp mustard seeds

• 2.5 ml/1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds

• 2.5 ml/1/2 tsp cumin seeds

• 2.5 ml/1/2 tsp asafetida

• 1 dried red chili, halved

• 2-3 curry leaves

• 2 green chilies, halved

• 225 g/8 oz mixed vegetables, diced (radish, onion, potato, aubergine ( eggplant), courgette (zucchini), green (bell) pepper etc.)

• 15 ml/1 tbsp tamarind pulp

• 250 ml/8 fl oz/1 cup water

• 15 ml/1 tbsp Sambar Powder 2 (see recipe)

• 2.5 ml/1/2 tsp ground turmeric

• salt

• 15 ml/1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander (cilantro)

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Method:

1. Cook the lentils in boiling water for about 1 hour until tender then drain. Heat the oil and fry the mustard, fenugreek and cumin seeds, asafetida, red chili and curry leaves until the mustard seeds start crackling.

2. Add the green chilies and vegetables and fry for 2 minutes. Add the tamarind pulp, water, sambar powder, turmeric and salt.

3. Cover and simmer for 2 minutes. Stir in the lentils, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with coriander and serve hot with rice.