Madras Onion Sambhar

Ingredients :

• Tuvar dal - 2 cups
• Tamarind - Big lemon size
• Madras onion - 250 gms [peeled]
• Salt - As per taste
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 sp
• Asafoetida powder - 1/4 sp
• Oil - 1 sp.

For Wet Grinding :

• Methi seeds - 1/2 sp
• Coriander seeds - 2 sp
• Channa dal - 2 sp
• Red chillies - 6 to 8
• Fresh coconut gratings - 1 cup.

For Seasoning :

• Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
• Red chillie - 1 broken
• Curry leaves - 2 sprigs.

For Garnishing :

Coriander leaves - Little [Chopped].

Method :

Wash tuvar dal well and pressure cook, adding just enough water, a pinch of turmeric powder and asafoetida. Extract the tamarind pulp. [You may need less amount of tamarind if you add a few spoonful of tomato puree]. Fry the peeled onions in two teaspoon of oil till it become soft. Then add the fried onions with the tamarind pulp and boil adding enough salt, turmeric powder and a pinch of asafoetida. Then heat 2 teaspoon oil and fry methi seeds, red chillies, channa dal, and coriander seeds till roasted well and a nice smell comes. Add the fresh coconut gratings mix well and grind to a fine paste. Mix the grained masala to the boiling tamarind mixture. Boil and simmer for 5 mins. Add the cooked tuvar dal and allow to boil for another 2 mins. Garnish with coriander, and curry leaves and remove from the gas. Season with mustard seeds, red chillies and curry leaves. Serve with rice, dosa, upma, idli etc.