Hot Lentils (Sambhar)

200g Lentils (I usually use red or yellow)

2 Carrots

2 Potatoes

1.5 teaspoons of salt

2 teaspoons of turmeric

1.5 tablespoons of tamarind paste, or juice of half a lemon

2 tablespoons of ghee or butter

1 teaspoon of ground cumin

2 teaspoons of ground coriander

150g of grated coconut (or desiccated) 

1.5 tablespoon of mustard seeds

2 green chillies (optional)

10 curry leaves

2 teaspoons of sambhar masala - https://www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/sambar-masala-powder-recipe/ here’s a recipe to make your own or if you’re lazy like me you can just use a little more of all the other spices and fenugreek seeds. 

Rinse the lentils and soak if required. 

Boil, in about a litre of water, the lentils and the chopped carrots and potatoes with the salt and turmeric.

Add the tamarind paste or lemon juice.

Heat the ghee or butter gently and fry the cumin coriander and coconut. Add mustard seeds, green chillies (if using) and curry leaves and fry for a few minutes. Add the sambhar masala or just a little more turmeric, cumin, coriander and fenugreek seeds if you have them. Stir well and cook for a minute or two more and then add to the lentils.

Serve hot with dosas, idli or boiled rice and curry. It can be a little soupy but just cook it a little longer or use less water if you want it thicker.