Munakkaya sambar( Drumstick stew)

Ingredients:

1 cup of toor dal

2 1/2 cups of water

2 tbsp of oil

1/2 tsp of mustard seeds

1/2 tsp of cumin seeds

1/2 tsp of turmeric powder

1/2 cup of curry leaves
2 cloves of garlic

3-4 green chillies or dry red chillies

3/4 tsp of red chilli powder

3 medium size drumsticks(munakkayalu)

1 large lemon size tamarind ball

1/2 cup of fresh coriander leaves

salt to taste

Procedure:

Wash 1 cup of toor dal and add 2 1/2 cups of water, pinch of turmeric powder and few drops of oil.
Pressure cook it for around 3-4 whistles, let it cool down naturally( it may take 10-15 mts to cool down).
Soak tamarind in 1 cup of warm water and set it aside.
Peel outer skin of drumsticks and cut it into finger length pieces.
Heat oil in a saucepan, add mustard seeds wait until they starts splattering. Now add cumin seeds, green/red chillies, crushed garlic, turmaric powder and curry leaves.
Saute them for a minute. Add drumsticks and give them a good stir, cook them on medium to low flame for 4-5 min by placing lid on top.
Add pulp extracted tamarind juice, chilli powder and salt. Stir all together and bring them to boil.
Adjust the thickness of the sambar by adding hot water, Now stir in the cooked and mashed toor dal.
 Boil the sambar for an other 8-10 mts on low flame, cover cook till drumsticks are cooked.
Check the seasoning and add freshly chopped coriander leaves, simmer for 1 more minute and switch off the flame.
Serve hot with plain rice or bagara rice.
Try this dish, am sure you will enjoy it!