Tomato Sambar Recipe

Certainly! Here's a simple recipe for Tomato Sambar, a delicious South Indian lentil stew made with tomatoes and flavored with aromatic spices:

Ingredients:

- 1 cup toor dal (split pigeon peas)

- 2 medium-sized tomatoes, chopped

- 1 small onion, finely chopped

- 1 green chili, slit lengthwise

- 1 tablespoon sambar powder (available in Indian grocery stores)

- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (optional, for extra heat)

- Salt to taste

- 1 tablespoon oil (preferably coconut oil)

- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds

- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

- A pinch of asafoetida (hing)

- A few curry leaves

- 2 cups water

- Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Rinse the toor dal under running water until the water runs clear. Then, soak it in water for about 15-20 minutes. Drain the water before using.

2. Pressure cook the soaked toor dal with 2 cups of water, turmeric powder, and a pinch of salt. Cook for about 5-6 whistles or until the dal is soft and mushy.

3. In a deep pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Then, add cumin seeds, asafoetida, and curry leaves. Stir for a few seconds until fragrant.

4. Add chopped onions and slit green chili to the pan. Sauté until the onions turn translucent.

5. Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan and cook until they become soft and mushy.

6. Add sambar powder and red chili powder (if using) to the pan. Mix well and cook for a minute to let the spices release their flavors.

7. Now, add the cooked toor dal to the pan and mix everything together. Add water if needed to adjust the consistency of the sambar.

8. Season with salt according to your taste. Let the sambar simmer for about 10-15 minutes on low heat to allow the flavors to blend together.

9. Garnish the sambar with fresh coriander leaves.

10. Serve the Tomato Sambar hot with steamed rice or idli/dosa. It can also be enjoyed as a soup.

That's it! You've made Tomato Sambar. Enjoy the flavorsome and comforting dish.