Small Onion Sambar

Today's post is Small Onion Sambar. Sambar is a lentil based vegetable stew cooked with dal and tamarind pulp. It is a very healthy food. And the reason is quite simple.

👉 It is made with vegetables and veggies are packed with vitamins and antioxidants.

👉 It is made with dal (lentil) which is protein rich.

You can make sambar with any vegetables of your choice. Today I have used Small Onions or Shallots. Small Onions has lot of health benefits. To name a few, Shallots (are):

👉 Rich in antioxidants.

👉 Fights Cancer

👉 Improves heart health

👉 Can help and treat allergies

👉 Cleanses liver toxins by improving circulation and detoxification

👉 Possess anti fungal, anti bacterial and anti viral properties.

Let's get on to the recipe.

Ingredients:

Small Onion Shallots 1 cup

Tur Dal 1/2 cup

Tamarind pulp lemon sized

Sambar Powder 1 tsp

Green Chilli 1

Asafoetida a pinch

Turmeric powder 1 tsp

Mustard Seeds 1 tsp

Fenugreek Seeds 1/2 tsp

Methi Seeds 1/2 tsp

Red Chilli 1

Salt to taste

Curry leaves few

Method:

1. Pressure Cook tur dal for 4 whistles.

2. Peel small onions. Saute the small onions in oil for 2 to 3 minutes. Keep it aside.

3. Soak tamarind in hot water for 15 minutes. Extract the tamarind pulp and keep it aside.

4. Add sambar powder, turmeric powder, asafoetida to a vessel.

5. Heat oil in a pan. Once hot, add mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, methi seeds, curry leaves, red chilli and allow them to splutter.

6. Pour this over the sambar powder placed in the vessel.

7. Add the extracted tamarind pulp, sauted small onions, slit green chilli and salt to the above. Allow it to boil until the raw smell of the tamarind goes away.

8. Next add the cooked tur dal. Allow it to boil for 5 minutes in medium flame.

9. Switch off the flame.

10. Garnish with coriander leaves or/and curry leaves.