Name: Onion Sambar or Vengaya Sambar
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup tuvar dal or split pigeon peas; 1 tbsp of tamarind extract mixed with 1 cup of water. Alternately if you're using tamarind pods, soak a 1-inch ball of the pods in warm water for 15 minutes, then extract the flavor by crushing the pods with your fingers. Discard the solids and reserve the liquid portion.; 1/2 tsp turmeric; 3 tsp vegetable oil; 2 tbsp coriander seeds; 2 dry red chillies; 1 tbsp chana dal or bengal gram dal; 1/4 tsp dry fenugreek seeds or methi seeds; 2 cups red pearl onions, (ends trimmed and papery skins peeled. Tamil cooks sometimes soak the onions overnight which makes it easier to slip the skins off.); 1 sprig of curry leaves, (about 12 leaves); 1 tsp mustard seeds; A generous pinch of hing or asafetida; Salt to taste