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Wash toor dal a few times until the water runs clear.
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Pour 2 cups water & pressure cook for 2 to 4 whistles.
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When the pressure releases, mash the dal to smooth with a masher or ladle.
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Rinse all the veggies. Scrape the drumsticks lightly & rinse. Chop them to 2 inch pieces.
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Dice tomatoes & chop okra to 1 inch pieces.
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Soak the tamarind in hot water for 20 to 30 minutes.
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Once the tamarind gets soft, then squeeze the tamarind in the water itself. Discard the strained tamarind and keep the tamarind pulp aside.
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Heat 1 tsp oil in a pot. Saute onions for 1 minute. Add all the veggies & saute for 2 mins.
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Stir in the chilli powder (optional) and pour 4 cups of water. Let the veggies cook in water.
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When the veggies are cooked al dente, add turmeric, sambar powder and salt.
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Add in the tamarind pulp. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes.
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Stir cooked dal to the boiling sambar. Adjust salt and tamarind if needed. Bring it to a gentle boil and add coriander leaves.
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Heat a small pan with ghee. Add mustard, cumin, methi and red chillies. When the spices pop, add curry leaves.
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The leaves will turn crisp, then add hing & pour this to the simmering sambar.
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Serve sambar with steamed rice, idli, vada, dosa or uttapam.