Munagakada Pulusu - Drumstick Sambar Recipe

Sambar is a spicy and delicious side dish usually consumed with rice, dosa, idly or vadas. Sambar is called Pulusu in Telugu. Drumsticks give sambar a distinctive aroma and also enhance the taste. They are supposedly good for immunity.

 Ingredients

• Toor Dal (1/2 Cup)
• Drumsticks - 2 (cut into 2" pieces)
• Tomato (finely chopped)
• Green Chilli - 2 (Cut into halves)
• Tamarind (1/2 cup juice)
• Red Chilli Powder - 1 tsp
• Turmeric (Haldi) - 1/4 tsp
• Sambar Powder - 1 tsp
• A pinch of Asafoetida (Hing)
• Salt to taste
• Mustard, Fenugreek Seeds (Methi) for seasoning

Preparation

1. Pressure cook Toor Dal in a bowl and Drumstick pieces, Green Chilli pieces and Tomato in another.
2. Add red chilli powder, turmeric, sambar powder, asafoetida (hing) and salt to tamarind extract.
3. In a thick bottom pan, take a teaspoon of oil for seasoning. Add mustard and fenugreek seeds. When the seasoning starts spluttering, pour the mixture from step 2 followed by the mixture from step 1. 
4. Boil for 3 minutes. 
5. Add finely chopped coriander and curry leaves.

Note - Vadiyalu / Papad will be better side dishes for enhancing taste.