Masala sambar (spicy lentil soup) with kohlrabi and daikon

             

My recipe is about spicy/masala sambar. I tried this, which turned out awesome.  The vegetables which I used are  kohlrabi and daikon/radish/mullangi (available in american stores and farmers market also)  perfect for sambar. So I thought of posting this recipe in my blog to share with you all. Try this this masala sambar next time when you are thinking of preparing sambar.

Here is the recipe for  masala sambar. You do not need to buy any sambar masala powder for this recipe. 

Ingredients:

• Toor dal/arhar dal (kandi pappu 1/2 cup)
• Tamarind pulp  (chintapandu gujju, 3 Tbsb)
• Kohlrabi (1 No, peel and cut into pieces)
• Radish (1 No, peel and cut into thin circles)

For Seasoning

• Oil (2 tsp)
• Green chillies/Red chillies (5-6)
• Mustard seeds (1 tsp)
• Cumin seeds/ jeera (1 tsp)
• Medium size onion (1, cut into thin and long pieces)
• Curry leaves (6-8)
• Cinnamon stick/dalchina chekka  (1, 2inches piece)
• Cardamom/elaichi/elakulu ( 3 No, crushed)
• Bay leaves/biryani aaku  (2 No)
• Cloves/lavanga  ( 4-5)
• Garlic cloves 3, crushed ( optional)
• Turmeric powder (1/4 tsp)
• Salt to taste

Method:

1. In pressure cooker add washed dal   with 1-1/2 cups of water then cook on medium high heat until 3-4 whistles.
2. Turn off the heat and wait until steam has gone before opening the pressure cooker.
3. Mash the dal using a ladle,  make sure there are no lumps.  Make dal soft and mushy and keep it aside.

Seasoning:

1. Heat the oil in a saucepan, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, green/red chilies, cinnamon stick, cardamoms, bay leaves, cloves, onions, garlic, curry leaves and turmeric powder then stir for a few minutes.
2. Add kohlrabi, radish  and  1 cup water  then covered the pan and let the vegetables cook till they are tender over medium heat.
3. Now add  tamarind pulp or juice to the vegetable mix.
4. Now add cooked dal to the above mix and salt to taste. You can add water for your consistency.  Boil the sambar on medium heat for 5-6 minutes finally add cilantro (optional). 
5. Serve sambar with rice, dosa and  idli.