Ridged Gourd Sambar

PEERKANKAI SAMBAR 
Tamilnadu is famous for different kinds of sambar. Here is a simple sambar with  ridged gourd. If you dont have any home made sambar powder, use MTR sambar powder which is available in Indian grocery store. Enjoy  

 

Ingredients
Ridged gourd / Peerkanakai – 2 peeled and cut into small cubes
Onion – 1 medium
Tomato – 2 medium
Moong dal / Pasiparuppu – 3/4 cup
Sambar powder – 11/2 tsps
Turmeric powder – 1/2 tsp
Chilly powder – 1/2 tsp
Cumin – 1 tsp
Garlic pods – 4
Asafoetida a pinch
Tamarind paste – 1/4 tsp
A handful of chopped cilantro
Ghee  / oil – 2 tbsps

Method
1. Heat ghee in a pressure cooker and fry the moong dal until a nice aroma comes out from the dal. (slightly brown in color). Add enough water , turmeric and asafoetida and pressure cook the dal.
2. Add little water to the ridgegourd pieces and cook seperately. Don’t over cook the vegetable.
3. Heat 2 tbsps of oil in a frying pan and pop mustard, cumin and add the sliced onion and garlic and fry until soft. Add the chopped tomato cook till the tomatoes are mashed well add the sambar powder, chilly powder fry for few more minutes.
4. Now combine everything together. To the cooked dal add the cooked vegetable and the prepared masala, tamarind juice and salt. (if you feel the sambar is too thick you can add water at this stage)
5. Finally garnish with cilantro. This sambar goes well with rice, dosai and chapathi.
                               
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Note: Frying the moong dal in ghee before cooking gives you a better taste.