ONION SAMBHAR IYER STYLE

U need:

toover dal : 1/2 cup washed and pressure cooked in 1 cup water with 1/2 tsp turmeric.
shallots: 1 cup (small onions)
drumstick: 1
sambhar powder: 1 tsp
tamarind paste: 1 tsp
turmeric: 1/2 tsp
tomatoes: 1
raw mango chopped: 1/2 piece
salt to taste
curry leaves: 2tsp
ghee: 1 tablsp+1 tabslp

Sambhar  masala: to grind
Coriander seeds: 2 tabslp
channa dal : 1 tsp
red chillies: 3
asefodita : 1/2 tsp
grated coconut : 1 tabslp
fenugreek seeds: few
oil to fry the ingredients

Method:
1.Heat oil in a kadai. When hot add the asefodita, red chillies and fry.Add coriander seeds,channa dal , fenugreek seeds and toss well till light brown. Grind to a smooth wet paste with the grated coconut.
 Another option is you can fry the coconut too along with the other ingredients and  then grind.
2. Heat ghee in the same kadai. Fry the shallots and drumstick for few mins till the shallots are translucent. Add chopped tomatoes and chopped mango.Fry well.Add turmeric powder and sambhar powder.
3. Now add 1&1/2 cups water,tamarind paste and simmer till the onions and drumstick are cooked.Add salt.

4. Once the raw smell  of tamarind is reduced,add the cooked and mashed toovar dal. Stir well. Simmer for another 3 to 4 mins.
5. Add the ground paste,curry leaves and 1/2 cup water. Mix well simmer further for few mins.Add curry leaves. After 5 mins switch off the gas.Add pinch sugar,cover with a lid.
6. In a small pan add 1 tabslp ghee.When hot add 1 tsp mustard seeds and a few curry leaves. Add this bhagar to the sambhar.
7. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve hot with rice, potato fry and pappads.

Note:
 Onion sambhar ia a Sunday special dish in most of Iyer houses. Shallots brings out the best flavour for this recipe. This sambhar can be had with idlis, dosas,and rotis too. 
Some people don't like too much of sourness in their sambhar. So by adding tomato and raw mango pieces we reduce the tamarind paste. This makes the dish equally delicious.
Bon Appetite!!!!!!!