Sambar Palakkad Style

Hello Everybody,

                         Today I would like to share the recipe of Palakkad Style Sambar. Sambar is made on daily basis in any Tamil household. Sambar is usually made with Sambar Powder. The Palakkad Sambar is made with freshly ground spices and coconut and hence makes its taste unique. You can make use of vegetables like Pumpkin, Ash Gourd, Lady’s Finger, Brinjal and Drumstick. All the above vegetables can either be used in combination or you can prepare it with any one of the above vegetables.

Ingredients            
Serves: 4

1.       Mixed Vegetables diced into medium sized cubes – 1.5 cups (I used Ash gourd and drumstick)

2.       Tamarind – A small lemon sized ball

3.       Hing Block – A small piece

4.       Bengal Gram Dal – 1/2 tbsp
5.       Coriander Seeds – 1 tbsp

6.       Methi Seeds or Vendayam – ¼ tsp

7.       Dry Red Chillies – 4 big ones

8.       Fresh Grated Coconut – 1/2 cup

9.       Tuvar Dal – 5 tbsp

10.   Turmeric Powder – pinch

11.   Oil – 2tsps

12.   Mustard Seeds for Seasoning

13.   Curry leaves for garnish

14.   Salt to taste

 Preparation

1. Pressure cook the dal, mash it well and keep aside. 
2. Soak the tamarind in water for 10 to 15 mins. Squeeze and extract the juice. Add about 2.5 cups water to this.
3. Add the vegetables, turmeric powder and salt. 
4. Allow it to boil till the vegetables are cooked. 
5. Meanwhile, heat a pan, add a teaspoon of oil, add Hing allow it to be fried. Now add the Bengal gram dal, coriander seeds, methi seeds and chillies and fry till dal is golden brown and good aroma starts emanating. 
6. Now grind these fried ingredients with grated coconut into a paste by adding little water.
7. Once the vegetables are cooked and the raw smell of tamarind is gone add the cooked dal allow to boil for 2 mins, stirring in between. 
8. Then add the ground paste and allow to simmer for another 2 mins. 
9. Season with mustard seeds and garnish with curry leaves and coriander leaves.

Serve hot with steamed rice and any vegetable stir fry.