Sambar- Indian lentil based vegetable stew

Sambar is a lentil-based vegetable stew, cooked with dal and tamarind broth. It is popular in South Indian, Sri Lankan and Maldivian cuisines. It is a staple dish in South Indian homes and is also equally popular and loved by many. IT is mainly eaten with rice, idly and dosa. It is an easy recipe and very tasty too. Let me tell you the easiest way to prepare sambhar

Ingredients:

Toor dal 1/2 cup
Vegetables of your choice.
potato
carrot
Beans
Tindly
Brinjal
Yam
Drumsticks
Plantain
ash gourd
Ladys finger
pumpkin
Tomato
Garlic 2 cloves
Shallots 5
Green chilly 3
Salt to taste
Chilly powder 1/4 tsp
turmeric powder 1/4 tsp
Tamarind a small lemon sized ball
Sambar powder-2 tsp
oil for tempering
Mustard seeds
dried red chilly
coriander leaves minced

Steps to follow:
In a pressure cooker cook toor dal. 3 whistles will be sufficient
Meanwhile clean and cut vegetables into small cubes. Any one or more than one vegetable can be used based on the availability.
Place tamarind in a bowl and add hot water to loosen it.
Once the dal is cooked, open the cooker and add in the vegetables and water if necessary.
Add cut tomatoes, garlic and green chilly along with salt, chilly powder and turmeric powder.
Close the cooker again and wait for another whistle.
Open the lid and place on medium flame.
Add the tamarind water. Remove any residual tamarind pieces.
Add sambhar powder and boil for 2 minutes.
In a small kadai, pour oil for tempering.
Add mustard seeds and dried red chilly
Pour the tempering into the sambhar.
Add minced coriander leaves also and mix well
Sambhar is now ready to be served.