Namboodiri Sambar

Ingredientsfor 4 servings

• 200 g Any vegetable — cut into pieces)(ash gourd and or small onions taste best
• 50 g Red gram (Thuvaraparippu)
• Turmeric powder A pinch
• 1/2 tsp Tamarind paste (Puli)
• 4 nos Green chillies — slit
• Asafoetida A pinch (Kayam)
• 2 sprig Curry leaves
• Salt, to taste
• Water, to taste
• For grinding
• 3 nos Dry red chillies (Kollamulaku)
• 2 tsp Dry coriander seeds
• 1 tsp Bengal gram (Kadalaparippu)
• Fenugreek A pinch (Uluva)
• 1 tbsp Coconut — grated
• 1 tsp Ghee very important
• 1 tsp Oil
• 1 tsp Ghee
• 1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
• Fenugreek seeds A pinch
• Asafoetida A pinch

Preparation

1. Step 1

   For preparing Namboodiri Sambar, first heat ghee in a wok.

2. Step 2

   Add all ingredients for grinding except the grated coconut.

3. Step 3

   Cook well till fine aroma comes.

4. Step 4

   Cook coconut separately for a few minutes.

5. Step 5

   Do not let it become red or brown.

6. Step 6

   Grind together the coconut and the rest of the grinding ingredients into a coarse paste adding a little water, as needed.

7. Step 7

   Meanwhile, pressure cook vegetables, red gram, green chillies and turmeric.

8. Step 8

   Add ground paste to cooked dal.

9. Step 9

   Add the tamarind paste at this time. Stir everything together thoroughly.

10. Step 10

    Simmer for about 2 minutes.

11. Step 11

    Heat oil and the ghee in a small wok and prepare the seasoning.

12. Step 12

    Finally, add seasoning to the sambar and switch off gas.

13. Step 13

    Close with lid for a few minutes.

14. Step 14

    Serve while still hot with Idly, Dosa or hot rice.

15. Step 15

    The good thing about this sambar is that is has no tomatoes, and isnt really sour and has very little dal in it, yet tastes amazing!