Masoor Dal Sambar / Masoor Dal Sambar Using Pressure Cooker / Pressure Cooker Sambar

Masoor Dal Sambar using Pressure Cooker. You Might think what's new in this? We usually cook dal in pressure cooker then why the title using Pressure cooker, Right? Yes.,this is bit different from our regular sambar in which the entire process is done in pressure cooker and it takes 20-25 minutes. No need to cook dal separately just saute onion, tomato, veggies and dal and cook together for 2 whistle that's it Sambar Ready. Sounds Interesting? As i said early, i always prefer quick fix meal that takes 30 minutes or less to make the complete meal. Like the Pressure Cooker Channa Masala Curry this Masoor Dal Sambar is one such recipe that doesn't require prior cooking process and the entire dish is made in pressure cooker. you can cook sambar and rice, stir fry simultaneously and everything will be ready in 30 minutes. Unlike Tuvar dal, Masoor dal cooks faster and no need to cook it separately. I often make this Masoor dal sambar with any desired veggies. Here, i used Brinjal, Drumstick, Radish. Only thing is you need to chop veggies little big chunks so that it will not turn mushy after pressure cooking.

Preparation Time : 5 minutes

Cooking Time : 20 minutes

Serve  4-5

Ingredients

1. Masoor Dal    1/4 cup
2. Onion   1 medium(sliced)
3. Tomato   1 no.(chopped)
4. Vegetables   2 cups, chopped
5. Turmeric Powder   1/8 tsp
6. Chilli Powder   1/2 tsp
7. Coriander Powder   1 tsp
8. Sambar Powder    1 and 1/2 tsp
9. Salt   to taste
10. Cilantro    2-3 tbsp (chopped)
11. Tamarind Extract  1/4 cup or use Lemon juice 1 tsp
12. Shredded coconut   2-3 tsp(fresh or frozen)
13. Oil   2 tsp

To Temper

1. Oil  1 tsp
2. Mustard seeds    1/4 tsp
3. Cumin seeds   1/4 tsp
4. Fennel seeds    1/4 tsp
5. Hing   a generous pinch
6. Curry leaves    1 sprig

Method

• First wash and soak Masoor dal in enough water until you need.
• Then chop onion, tomato and veggies and keep ready.

• Now heat oil in a pressure cooker, when its hot add onion and saute for a minute.
• Then add tomatoes and saute till soft and mushy.

• After that add chopped vegetables, turmeric powder, chilli powder, coriander powder,sambar powder and stir fry for 2 minutes.
• Then add soaked and drained dal, enough water(about 2-2/1 cups),shredded coconut, enough salt and lemon juice and mix well.

• Add some chopped cilantro and close the lid and cook for 2 whistles.
• Once done allow the pressure to cool down or release it by keep the cooker under running tap water.
• When pressure cools down, open the lid and mix well..if you feel it thick like dal then add some hot water mix well, adjust salt.

• And then heat oil in a tempering pan, when hot add mustard seeds allow to pop then add the other ingredients one by one, fry well and add it to the cooked Sambar. 
• That's it...Flavorful and Delicious Masoor Dal Sambar ready.

Notes:
The same way you can make Moong dal sambar instead masoor dal.
You can also make the tempering first then saute onion, tomato and proceed other process.
I usually make it that way but for picture presentation i need the tempered mustard seeds & cumin, so i did in the last.