Vendakkai Sambar / Okra sambar / Okra Lentils Stew

Ingredients

1. Thoor dal / Tuvar Dal    3/4 cup
2. Sambar onions     8-10 no.s(chopped) or medium onion isliced
3. Tomato    1 no.(chopped)
4. Vendakkai/okra    1/2 lb(cut in to 1/2" pieces)
5. Sambar Powder    1 tsp(optional)
6. Chilli Powder    1 tsp
7. Coriander Powder   2 tsp
8. Shredded coconut   1tbsp
9. Tamarind paste    2 tsp(dissolved in 1/4 cup water)
10. Curry leaves     few
11. Coriander leaves    few 
12. Salt   as needed

To temper 

1. Oil     2 tsp
2. Mustard seeds     1/2 tsp
3. Jeera      1/4 tsp
4. Fennel seeds       1/4 tsp
5. Hing       1/4 tsp
6. Pepper corns   3no.s
7. Curry leaves    few

Method

• Pressure cook thoor dal for 2-3 whistles mash and keep aside.
• Heat a pan add few drops of oil and fry the okra pieces for 3-4 minutes and keep aside.
• Heat oil in an available vessel and add all the tempering ingredients one by one ,and allow to splutter .
• Then add onions and saute till onion get transparent.
• And add the chopped tomatoes and fry well.
• Now add the sambar,chilli and coriander powders,stir well and fry lightly.
• Then add the mashed dal with water stir well and allow to boil .
• When it starts boiling pour the tamarind juice mix well and again allow to boil for sometime.
• Then add the fried okra/vendakkai, shredded coconut and mix well.
• Cook for 2 minutes lastly add some coriander leaves and close the vessel with lid and leave it for sometime.
• Now the vendakkai sambar is ready to serve.
• Serve with hot plain rice with ghee on top.

Notes:
Adding sambar powder is optional. the updated pic Sambar is without sambar powder.
After adding okra do not cook sambar for long time.