Vendakkai Vengayam Sambar Recipe (Okra in Tangy Lentil Curry)
The Vendakkai Vengayam Sambar Recipe is a simple and quick method of making sambar that is packed with flavors from the okra (bhindi) and the most important ingredient, the homemade sambar powder. The Vendakkai (okra) when cooked along with the tamarind water and sambar powder, absorbs the spices so well, that it imparts a delicious taste to the sambar. Serve the Vendakkai Vengayam Sambar along with Steamed Rice, topped with Ghee and Potato Roast
Ingredients
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1 cup Arhar dal (Split Toor Dal)
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1 cup Tamarind
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freshly squeezed
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1 cup Shallot
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peeled
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10 Bhindi (Lady Finger/Okra)
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cut into 1 inch pieces
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2 Tomatoes
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quartered
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1 tablespoon Sambar Powder
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Salt
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to taste
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Ingredients for the Seasoning
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1 teaspoon Sesame (Gingelly) Oil
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or vegetable oil
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1 teaspoon Mustard seeds (Rai/ Kadugu)
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2 Dry Red Chillies
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1/4 teaspoon Asafoetida (hing)
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6 Curry leaves
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3 sprig Coriander (Dhania) Leaves
Instructions
Step 1
To begin making the Vendakkai Vengayam Sambar Recipe, first cook the toor dal along with 2 cups of water and keep aside
Step 2
Click to see how to cook dal in a pressure cooker
Step 3
Once the dal is cooked, whisk the dal well and keep it aside
Step 4
The next step is to cook the tangy sambar curry
Step 5
Into the pressure cooker, add the tamarind water, a tablespoon of sambar powder, 10 to 12 pearl onions, the Vendakkai and tomatoes
Step 6
Finally add salt to taste
Step 7
Close the pressure cooker, place the weight on and allow it to cook until you hear two whistles
Step 8
After the two whistles allow the pressure to release naturally
Step 9
While the pressure is getting released we will prepare the seasoning for the sambar
Step 10
In a small pan; add a teaspoon of sesame oil and allow it to heat
Step 11
Once the oil is heated up, add the mustard seeds, the dry red chilies and allow it to roast until lightly browned
Step 12
Add the asafoetida powder, stir it in and turn off the heat
Step 13
Once the pressure is released completely, open the cooker
Step 14
Add in the cooked lentils and stir well until it gets well combined into the tamarind vegetable curry
Step 15
Next add in the prepared seasoning to the Vendakkai sambar and stir
Step 16
Turn the heat on to high and bring the sambar to a boil
Step 17
Allow it to boil for 3 to 4 minutes
Step 18
Finally, stir in the chopped coriander leaves and stir
Step 19
Turn off the heat
Step 20
Serve the Vendakkai Vengayam Sambar along with Steamed Rice, topped with Ghee and Potato Roast