Beans Sambar

I could have never thought of making a sambar with beans. This is made by Aunty today. Aunty is HD's colleague's mom. She came home and made this yummy beans sambar. It was a good learning for me. She made this sambar from scratch... in just 30 minutes or less.

All that we are is the result of what we have thought. - Buddha

Ingredients:

For Sambar powder:

Dry red chillies - 7

Chana dal - 1 Tsp

Coriander seeds(dhania) - 1 Tsp

Cumin seeds(jeera) - 1 Tsp

Fenugreek seeds(methi/vendhiyam) - 1/2 Tsp

Other Ingredients:

Tuvar Dal - 1 cup

Garlic - 5 cloves

Beans - 1/2 cup

Onion - 1/4 cup

Tomato - 1/2

Green chilly - 3

Tamarind pulp - 1 Tsp

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Curry leaves - 1 sprig

Asafoetida powder(hing/peringayam) - 1/2 tsp

Salt as per taste

Oil as required

Steps:

1. Pressure cook the dal, garlic cloves and asafoetida powder with 2 cups of water for 2 whistles.

2. In a wok, add very little oil, add all the sambar powder ingredients(in the order given) and saute it for a minute. Grind these and keep aside.

3. In another pan, pour 2 tsp oil(or more as required), add mustard seeds, let it splutter.

4. Add the curry leaves and saute for a minute. Add onion and beans. Saute till the onions and beans are semi cooked.

5. Add the tomato and saute for a couple of minutes. Add the freshly made sambhar powder and saute for a minute. Pour 4 cups of water and let it simmer.

6. Add the dal and let it simmer for some more time. Cover with a lid and let it boil.

7. Once the beans is cooked, pour the tamarind pulp and let it simmer for another 5 minutes.

Serve with idli, dosa, vada or rice.

Health Quotient:

Beans contain no cholesterol, and they can help lower your cholesterol level because they are one of the richest sources of fiber! They are also loaded with many nutrients, Vitamin A, K , iron, potassium to name a few.