Sambhar - For bachelors

Ingredients

2 – 3 drumsticks
50 grams toor dal
50 grams masoor dal
One large onion
3 green chillies
One inch ginger
2 medium sized tomatoes
20 – 25 curry leaves
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
3-4 teaspoons sambhar powder
1 teaspoon Rasam powder
Half teaspoon bafat masala powder*
One table spoon oil
Salt to taste
Vinegar – 1 teaspoon
Half bunch coriander leaves, chopped fine ( optional)

Method :

Wash the toor and masoor dal, add two cups of water and pressure cook for 5 minutes ( after the first whistle).

Clean and cut the drumsticks into one inch pieces and keep aside
Finely slice the onions, slit the green chillies and finely cut the ginger and keep aside
Cut the tomatoes into large pieces and keep aside.

In a vessel heat the oil on medium fire and add the mustard seeds. Once the seeds start sputtering add the curry leaves, then the sliced onions, ginger and green chillies and fry for one minute. Next add the drumsticks, sambhar powder, rasam powder and the bafat masala powder and cook for 2 minutes. Stir all the while so that the masala does not catch the bottom and burn. Then add the pressure cooked dal, 3 cups of water, salt to taste and vinegar. Cook for about 20 minutes until the drumsticks become soft. You may keep adding water if required or leave it as it is if you want the sambhar to be thick.. Once the drum sticks are cooked add the tomatoes and cook for 2- 3 more minutes. You may now add the chopped coriander leaves, but this is optional. Check the salt and vinegar and add more to suit your taste if required.

Enjoy the sambhar.

* Bafat powder is popular with the Mangalorean community. This gives the sambhar a better taste. If not available where you are, you may do without it.