red-amaranth-sambar-recipe - Tambdi Bhaji

Ingredients

2 cups red amaranth, finely chopped
1/2 cup tuvar/arhar dal/pigeon pea lentils
1/4 cup mung dal/ spilt skinned green gram
1 tomato, chopped
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 medium size tamarind ball
2 tsp grated ginger
2 green chilies, chopped or slit lengthwise
1 capsicum/green bell pepper, diced
2 tsp sambar powder
3 tsp coconut oil or sunflower oil
2 cups water for pressure cooking the dal
1/4 cup water to be added later while cooking the amaranth
1 tsp salt – add more if required
2 tbsp chopped coriander for garnishing (optional)

Method

Pick, rinse and pressure cook both the dals with tomato, turmeric powder and 2 cups water till they are done.soak tamarind in 1 cup water for 15 minutes.extract the juice and discard the pulp.In a pan, heat oil. first add the mustard seeds and let them splutter.Now add the other tempering ingredients. fry them for a minute.Add the ginger, green chilies and capsicum and fry again for a minute.Now add the tamarind juice and sambar powder.Reduce the heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes till the raw aroma of tamarind disappears.To this now add the chopped red amaranth leaves with ¼ cup water.Simmer till the amaranth leaves become soft.Now add the cooked dals and again simmer for 5-7 minutes. Keep on stirring in between.Adjust water as per the consistency you want.Add more salt if required.Garnish red amaranth sambar with coriander leaves.Serve red amaranth sambar hot with steaming idlis, soft crispy dosas or steaming rice.