Pressure cook the ingredients: toor dal, shallots, green chillies, turmeric powder, ghee and 1 cup water for 3-4 whistles/until done.

Heat oil in a pan. Splutter mustard seeds.

Now add tomato and garlic. Saute the tomato till it becomes very soft and let it cook for a while.

Mash the tomato with a ladle. When its time, add red chilly powder, sambar powder, asafoetida and fry for a few minutes.

Now add extracted tamarind water and let it boil. Meanwhile open the cooker and keep it back on flame without putting lid.

Pour this tamarind mixture into the cooked dal. Stir well and let it boil.(If the sambar is thick add little hot water to adjust).

Add salt to taste and a pinch of sugar. Switch off flame and add coriander leaves to garnish. Your sambar is ready.

:-Best with rice, idli and dosa.