Mixed Lentils

Heat 2 tbs olive oil and add 2 dry red chillies,1tsp cumin ...when it crackles add 3-4 chopped garlic cloves and fry till light brown.










Now add 1 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp chilli powder,1 tsp coriander powder and 1 tsp garam masala .Fry for a few seconds....

Now add some mixed vegetables (I used the frozen ones)and fry with the masala for 1-2 minutes.

Wash and rinse 1 cup mixed Lentils in a seperate bowl.

Add the washed lentils and about 4 cups of water and salt ...Pressure cook it for about 20 minutes on a medium heat .

Serve with plain rice....!

Sambhar

Ingredients

1 cup of toor dal/pigeon peas
1 tsp of turmeric powder
2 cups of diced vegetables(potato,plantain,pumpkin,carrot,taro root)
2 Ladies finger chopped
1 Tomato chopped
1/4 cup shallots
One green chilly sliced
1/4 cup tamarind water/juice
I small piece of asafoetida

To Roast and Grind
1 Cup  grated coconut
5 tsp of coriander seeds
4 Dried red chillies
1 tsp of fenugreek seeds
1 tsp urad dal/black gram
2 tsp of gram dal

To temper
1 small tsp Mustard seeds
1 small piece of asafoetida
2 Sprig curry leaves
Oil

Method

• Cook/Pressure cook toor dal adding tumeric powder, salt and enough water.
• when dal is half cooked,add the vegetables which take time to cook like potatoes, plantain,carrot,taro,pumpkin etc.Drop the piece of asafoetida.
• After 4-5 minutes add whole shallots and tamarind water.
• When they are almost cooked add the ladies finger and chopped tomatoes
• Meanwhile roast the coconut in some oil and add the spices mentioned in the roast section.Roast till the coconut turn to brown colour,
• Grind this to a fine paste adding enough water.Don't make it too watery.
• Add this coconut mixture to the sambar and let it simmer in medium heat for 5-6 minutes.
• Check salt and spices now.switch off the stove.
• Heat coconut oil in a small frying pan and splutter mustard seeds, asafoetida and curry leaves .Pour this into sambar and mix properly.