A staple in Tamizh cuisine, sambhar is essentially a spicy and sour vegetable and lentil stew. You can make sambhar with any vegetables you have on hand, but my personal favourites are eggplant, potatoes, long beans, and pumpkin. Get yourself a tin of freshly ground, organic sambhar powder. Makes great gifts.
Spice level: mild
Ingredients: Coriander seeds, red dried chilli, cumin seeds, channa dal, peppercorn, fenugreek, turmeric root, curry leaf, hing.