Kerala Sambar

Name: Kerala Sambar
Ingredients: 1/2 cup thoor dhal or yellow split peas (3 1/2 ounces), rinsed in several changes of water; 3 1/4 cups water; 1/4 teaspoon turmeric; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds; 1/8 teaspoon asafetida; 1/4 pound okra, trimmed; 1 medium boiling potato, peeled and cut into 3/4 -inch dice; 1 medium tomato, coarsely chopped; 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped; 1/4 cup cilantro leaves; 1 serrano or Thai chile, cut in half lengthwise; 2 teaspoons ground coriander; 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/4 teaspoon tamarind concentrate, dissolved in 1 tablespoon boiling water; 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds; 8 curry leaves or 2 bay leaves; 1 dried red chile; 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

22 ingredients

12 steps

Ingredients

1/2 cup thoor dhal or yellow split peas (3 1/2 ounces), rinsed in several changes of water
3 1/4 cups water
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
1/8 teaspoon asafetida
1/4 pound okra, trimmed
1 medium boiling potato, peeled and cut into 3/4 -inch dice
1 medium tomato, coarsely chopped
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup cilantro leaves
1 serrano or Thai chile, cut in half lengthwise
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon tamarind concentrate, dissolved in 1 tablespoon boiling water
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds
8 curry leaves or 2 bay leaves
1 dried red chile
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Directions

1

In a small saucepan, combine the dhal with 1 1/4 cups of water and 1/8 teaspoon of the turmeric and bring to a boil.
2

Cover and cook over low heat until soft, about 30 minutes (45 minutes for yellow split peas).
3

Partially mash the dhal with a potato masher.
4

Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil.
5

Add the fenugreek and asafetida and cook over moderately high heat until fragrant and lightly colored, about 1 minute.
6

Add the okra, potato, tomato, onion, cilantro, serrano chile, coriander, salt, cumin, the remaining 1/8 teaspoon of turmeric, dissolved tamarind, cayenne and black pepper along with the remaining 2 cups of water and bring to a boil.
7

Reduce the heat to moderately low and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 18 minutes.
8

Add the mashed dhal and simmer 10 minutes longer.
9

In a small skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil.
10

Add the mustard seeds, curry leaves and dried red chile.
11

Cover and cook over moderately high heat until the mustard seeds have popped for a few seconds, then stir into the vegetable and dhal mixture.
12

Add the lemon juice and serve.