Sambar / Varutharacha Sambar

A special sambar from malabar. Roasted coconut masala with vegetables. Here is a Kannur sambar recipe.

Ingredients

• Toor dal 1/2 cup
• Carrots 1 medium size
• Onion 2 medium size
• Drum sticks 2 
• Lady finger 4os
• Brinjal 2
• Raw Banana 1
• Tomato 1 medium size
• Green chilli 4 
• Garlic Cloves 4 nos
• Ginger 1 small piece
• Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
• Chilli Powder 1/2 tsp
• Tamerind 1 lemon size ball soaked in water

Sambar Masala

• Grated coconut 3/4 cup
• Coriander Powder 1 1/2 tbsp
• Dry Red Chillies 2 nos
• Cumin Seeds 1/2 tsp
• Fenu Greek seeds 1/2 tsp
• Whole black pepper 1/2 tsp
• Curry Leaves 2 sprigs
• Shallots 3 nos
• Garlic 1 clove

To splutter

• Mustard Seeds 1 tsp
• Curry Leaves few
• Dry Red chilli 1
• Asafoetida 1/2 tsp
• Coriander Leaves

Method

Chop all vegetables. Pressure cook daal adding turmeric powder, chilli powder and salt along with vegetables except ladies finger, brinjal, tomatoes and drumsticks for up to 2 whistles. Meanwhile dry roast the coconuts till brown along with ingredients listed under sambar masala. Grind to fine paste adding water if needed. Add this to the cooked daal. Add ladies finger, drumsticks, brinjal and tomatoes, cook till soft. Add tamarind water, cook on low for 5 to 10 minutes till gravy is slightly thickened. Heat oil 1 tbsp of coconut oil in other pan. Splutter mustard seeds followed by red chillies, curry leaves . Add asafoetida roast and pour everything into the sambar. Adjust salt and add a piece of jaggeri. 

Serve with warm rice, idli , dosa etc.