BASSARU THE LENTILS GRAVY

This is a traditional sambar in Karnataka. My native place is Bangalore. Here we used to cook this recipe once or twice in a week. This gravy can be prepared by using other pulses and vegetables. This is a very healthy dish. This is served with ghee, rice and ragi balls.

INGREDIENTS

1. 2 bunch                    Spinach or any greens
2. 3 nos                        Tomato
3. 1 cup                        Lentils
4. 2 nos                        Onions
5.  Few                         Curry leaves
6. 1 bunch                    Coriander leaves
7. 2 tbsp                       Sambar powder
8. 1 tsp                         Chilly powder
9. 1/2 tsp                      Turmeric
10. 2 tsp                         Salt
11. 3 tbsp                       Oil
12. 6 cups                      Water
13. 1 tsp                         Castor oil
14. 1 tbsp                       Coconut

FOR SEASONING

1. Mustard seeds             1 tsp
2. Urad dhal                    1 tsp
3. Bengal gram dhal       1 tsp
4. Curry leaves                few
5. Coriander leaves         handful
6.  Red chilly                  2 broken                                   
7.  Asafoetida                  1/4 tsp

METHOD

• Wash and chop the greens. Prick onions by using chopsticks and keep over direct flame.
• Until the skin turns dark. Immerse the onions in water for a while and remove the skin.
• Cook lentils adding 6 cups of water, Castor oil, and turmeric. Don't overcook.
• Separate the dhal from dhal water and add the greens to it and cook.
• Again separate greens and drain water. Keep the boiled greens for side dish[palya]
• Now take half of the cooked dhal, little greens, smoked onions, tomato, coriander leaves and coconut and grind to a smooth paste.
• Add tamarind water to the grounded paste and mix with dhal water, salt, chilly powder, sambar powder and stir well.
• Heat oil in a Kadai add seasoning. After spluttering mustard seeds add curry leaves, red chilies asafoetida, and coriander leaves.
• Pour the mixed masala water to it and boil for 15 minutes or until pleasant aroma.
• Serve with rice. This is a traditional sambar and good for health too.