Varutharacha Sambar

Varutharacha means roasted and grinded. For quick sambars, we usually use the sambar mix but for festivals and special occasions the roasted coconut version is the most favoured.  This tasty sambar is made of lightly dry roasted coconut paste, cooked dal, selected vegetables, spices and seasoning. 

What you need for Varutharacha sambar :

• Toor Dal - 1/2 Cup
• Drumstick - 1 
• Carrot - 1 
• Lady's finger - 5 
• Tomato - 2 chopped
• Onion - 1
• Potato - 1 
• Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
• Green Chilly - 2 slit 
• Tamarind - small ball soaked in water
• Shallots - 4
• Curry leaves - few
• Grated Coconut - 1/2 cup
• Fenugreek  - 1/4 tsp
• Asafoetida/hing - 1/4 tsp
• Coriander powder - 2 tbsp
• Chilly powder - 1 tsp
• Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
• Red chilly - 2
• Coriander leaves - few
• Salt to taste

The preparation method:

• Cook the dal in a pressure cooker along with turmeric and salt.
• Heat oil in a pan.Fry onion,green chilli,curry leaves and ladies finger.Saute for sometime then add other vegetables like carrot ,potato and drum stick.Add salt and turmeric powder.Add water and cook for some time.
• In a pan , fry fenugreek, coconut, shallots and few curry leaves. When it starts to turn brown , add coriander powder, chilly powder, and asafoetida.Saute till the raw smell of the powders go.
• Remove from fire.Make it into a fine paste.
• When the vegetables are cooked add this paste.Bring it to a boil. 
• Finally add tamarind water.boil well.Add coriander leaves in to the curry.
• Heat oil in another pan. Splutter mustard seeds. Fry red chilli and curry leaves.
• Pour this mixture to the curry
• Sambar is ready to be served with rice/dosa/idli.