Microwave Cooking ~ Masoor Dal - Chayote Sambhar

A quick and tasty sambhar prepared in microwave for my "microwave cooking" theme in BM#8. Check what my fellow marathoners are cooking today.

Ingredients: (4 -5 servings)

1/2 cup masoordal

1/2 cup peeled and cubed chayote
1/8 tsp turmeric powder

Salt to taste

3/4 to 1 tsp chili powder

2 tsp sambhar powder

Jaggery to taste (optional)

Tamarind paste / puree as needed

For tadka: 2 tsp oil, 1 tsp mustard seeds, 1 tsp cumin seeds, a pinch of asafoetida, 1 red chillie and few curry leaves

Minced cilantro for garnish

Method:

* Wash masoor dal in two exchanges of water. Add the washed dal, chayote, turmeric powder and 1 cup of water to a microwave safe bowl. Cook it in the microwave until the dal is done, about 10 minutes. 

* Now add sambhar powder, chili powder, salt, tamarind and jaggery to the cooked dal. Add extra water to bring to sambhar consistency, about 2 cups. Mix well, taste and adjust the seasonings if needed. Put it back in the microwave and bring it to a rolling boil. It may take around 8 - 10 minutes.

* Heat oil in a small microwave safe bowl for two minutes. Then add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, asofoetida, chili and curry leaves. When the mustard seeds start to splutter, remove the bowl. Add this tadka to the cooked sambhar and mix well. Garnish with cilantro.

Serve hot with rice / rotis.

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