Sambar - Spicy Lentil Soup with Vegetables

When I think of Sambar, I can think only of Idly and Sambar combination. I believe that it is a complete food and a great breakfast. Sambar for me is again a melange of various vegetables and I personally do not like the Onion Sambar/Sweet Sambar/the one with loose gravy.
I like one with thick gravy and loads of Vegetables. I just love the magic it creates when together with hot fluffy Idlis... my day will be made :)

Ingredients

1. Toor Dal (Soak Overnight)

2. Drum Stick - 1

3. Onion - preferably shallots

4. Okra

5. Cucumber

6. Carrot

7. Snakegourd

8. Brinjal

9. Beans(Cluster)

10. Tamarind

11. Turmeric Powder

12. Red Chilly Powder

13. Asafoetida Powder

14. Oil

15. Dried Red Chilly

16. Mustard Seeds

17. Curry Leaves

18. Coriander Leaves

19. Instant Sambar Powder (optional)

How to Make ?

Soak tamarind for 15 Minutes.

Preparing Dal

1. Soak toor dal overnight.

2. Cook in a pressure cooker with salt.

3. Once done, mash it well and keep aside.

Preparing Vegetables.

1. Chop all vegetables in equal size(almost).

2. Cook in a pressure cooker with salt.

Note: For vegetables with very less cooking time like cucumber, need not be put in pressure cooker. 

1. Once the vegetables are done, cook in a pan along with water left from the pressure cooker.

2. Add turmeric powder, coriander powder(each half tea spoons) and Chilly Powder(2 tea spoons). You can add sambar ready made powder if needed.

3. Mix the vegetables with these powders and wait for 2 min, so that the powders and vegetables get cooked well.

4. Now add a pinch of Asafoetida. Make sure, you add only a pinch of it as it has very strong flavor.

5. Mix well and wait for 5 mins, now add fresh coriander leaves(sprinkle).

6. Sambar is almost done, and seasoning is only left.

7. For that take oil in a pan and add mustard seeds, curry leaves an dried red chilly and wait for it to splatter.

8. Now, pour the seasoning over the Sambar. It is ready.