VARUTHU ARAICHA SAMBAR(Nuri pettina Sambar)

Ingredients:
Thuvar dal - 1/2 cup
Onion - 1 (you can use a handful of pearl onions too)
Tomato - 1
Tamarind extract - 1/2 cup ( I use 2 tsps of Laxmi brand tamarind concentrate)
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Fresh coriander - for garnish

For the paste:
Coconut - 2 tbps
Channa dal - 1 tsp
Dhania/Coriander seeds - 2 tsp
Methi seeds - 1/2 tsp
Dry red chillies - 5 or 6 (adjust to taste)
Asafoetida – a pinch

For seasoning:
Mustard - 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves
Urad dal - 14 tsp

Method:
1. Cook thuvar dal and set aside.

2. Pour oil in a pan and slightly fry the onions until they become soft. Do not burn them.

3. Add the tamarind extract, tomatoes and turmeric powder and boil until the raw smell of the tamarind disappears. The tomatoes will get cooked in this process.

4. Fry the ingredients for the paste with very little oil. Make a paste and add to the tamarind mixture.

5. Let it come together then add the cooked and slightly mashed thuvar dal.

6. Add salt and water if required. Mix well.

7. Season with mustard seeds, urad dal and curry leaves.

8. Garnish with coriander.

Sambar can also be made with vegetables like bell peppers, bottle gourd, butternut squash, etc. For idlis onion sambar is the best.