John playing tabla:
Me in a salwar kamiz, with the homeowners, at the house that we are "borrowing" while they are absent:
And now, Sambhar soup, to eat with the Dosa:
In a medium saucepan, combine:
1 c. arahar dal (yellow lentils), rinsed
1/2 c. chopped pumpkin/winter squash
1 small (Thai) eggplant, chopped roughly
1 carrot, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 t. salt
1/2 t. turmeric
1 t. vegetable oil
2 c. water
Cook until the lentils are done. I'm not clear on how long this will take--in a pressure cooker, it takes maybe 20-25 minutes.
When cooked, add 1 T. Sambhar Masala (okay, maybe you can't get Sambhar Masala--I'll look at what's in it next time I have a box handy, but you can use curry powder and garam masala to substitute.) Bring to a boil, then simmer for another 20 minutes.
In the meantime, take:
2-3 T. oil
1 t. mustard seed (the dark brown kind)
1/2 t. cumin
1 dried red chili (or a bit of cayenne powder)
a pinch "hing" powder (okay, this might be hard to find too--look at Wikipedia's definition)
Put these in a small saucepan (or even a very large cooking spoon, over a gas burner), and roast until the mustard seeds begin to pop. Add quickly to Sambhar and cover (or the chili smoke might get to your lungs).
Coconut chutney to follow.....
