Ash Gourd Sambhar

Sambhar is the most loved dish among South Indians.There are many variations for preparing sambhar.I sometimes prepare sambhar using sambhar powder or grinding coconut along with sambhar powder.This is my method for preparing ash gourd sambhar.This goes well with rice, dosas.

Ingredients:

1 Cup of Tur Dal (pressure cooked for about 3 whistles with little turmeric and water)

2 Cups of cubed ash gourd pieces

2 Tsps Sambhar Powder

1 Tomato

Small lemon sized tamarind soaked in water

Handful of grated coconut

Small piece of Cinnamon

2 Cloves

1/4 Tsp Turmeric

1 Tsp Mustard seeds

Few curry Leaves

Salt

1 Tsp Sugar

1 Tbsp Oil

A pinch of Asafoetida

Method:

Grind to a fine paste coconut,sambhar powder,tomato,cinnamon and cloves.

Cook the ash gourd pieces in little water along with turmeric and little salt.After about 10 minutes add the ground paste, tamarind juice,pressure cooked tur dal along with required amount of water and salt and 1 tsp sugar.allow it to cook for 10-15 minutes on medium heat.

Heat oil in another pan add the mustard seeds.once it splutters add the asafoetida and curry leaves.Add this seasoning to the sambhar and mix well.