Spinach Sambar

According to me, this is the easiest sambar. For those who use frozen spinach, it will take less time to finish it. I use frozen spinach most of the time. Do not try this sambar with Methi leaves (mendhiya keerai). This is how I do spinach sambar. The main ingredients are as follows:

Ingredients:-

1. Frozen Spinach - 1/2 box (enough for 4 people)
2. Toor dal - 3/4 cup
   
3. Tamarind paste - 1 1/2 tbsp
4. Coriander seeds - 3 tbsp
5. Channa dal - 3/4 tbsp
6. Urid dal - 1/2 tbsp
7. Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tsp
8. Red chillies - 3
   
9. Asafoetida powder - a pinch
10. Fresh coconut - 2 tbsp
    
11. Salt to taste
12. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
13. Sambar powder - 3/4 tsp

For seasoning:-

1. Oil - 1 tbsp
2. Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
3. Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tsp
4. curry leaves - 10 - 12
5. Asafoetida powder - a pinch

Pressure cook the toor dal with a pinch of turmeric powder. In the mean time, thaw the spinach from freezer and cook it in the microwave according to the quantity you take. If you want to make 1/2 box of spinach then keep it 4 mts in the microwave. In a small pan, pour a drop of oil and pre heat it. Fry coriander seeds, channa dal, urid dal, red chillies, pepper and asafoetida powder to golden brown. Now add the coconut to it and stir it once and turn off the stove. Let it cool and grind it into a paste.

Now in a wide pan, mix the tamarind paste with a cup of water add turmeric and sambar powder and salt to it. Also add the spinach to it and let it cook for 5 mts. Since the spinach is already cooked, we just have to boil it for 5 mts. Now add the coconut paste to it and let it boil for another 3 mts. Finally add the toor dal to it and boil it for another 3 mts.

In a small pan, pre heat the remaining oil, add mustard seeds to it when it splutters add curry leaves, fenugreek seeds and asafoetida powder to it. Do not burn it. Pour it into the sambar. Now the sambar is ready to serve. Above said quantity is enough for 4 people.