Sambar and Dosa

Sambar and dosa are popular south Indian dishes. To make the Sambar - which is a like dal (lentil soup), start with the dal and then add lauki - which is a zuccini/squash cousin.

Set it to pressure cook for 10mins or so. In the meantime prepare the sambar mix to add. You need some tamarind - either use the fresh one or you can use a paste. Mix with some water, add the sambar masala and let it sit for few minutes.

Fine chop some onion and tomatoes. In a pot add some olive oil and add mustard seeds in the oil for less than a minute. Then add the onions stir until golden brown. Add the tomatoes and let it simmer. Then add the tamarind and sambar masala mix to it.

For the last step to complete the sambar, mix in the cooked dal from the pressure cooker!

Dosa - mix rice flour in water to make a liquid dough. Spread out on a pan - make sure to cool it by sprinkling some water. If pan is hot then it cooks too fast and burns!

Finally serve with rice, dosa and some coconut chutney!

Toor Dal

Start with Toor dal and wash it. You don't have to use a pressure cooker but it will dramatically cut your cooking time!

Add salt and haldi and then set to cook. Once the pressure builds up turn the heat down to low and allow to cook for 5mins. Then let it slowly cool down with the stove off. (atleast 15mins).

Prepare the tadka with some cumin in oil. Add chili and heeng (asafoetida).

Stir and serve with rice!