Recipe column- madras sambar commonly known as arachuvitta sambar

Roast 1 teaspoon of gram dal, 8 red chilies, 1 teaspoon of corriender seeds, 1/4 teaspoon of methi seeds, in little oil.
Add 3 teaspoons of grated coconut to the ingredients above and grind well to a smooth paste in a mixer.
Cook 1 cup of toor dal with your choice of vegetables(carrot, onion, capsicum, pumpkin, chow chow, beans, squash, tomatoes) . Add 1 teaspoon of tarmarind paste and allow it to boil for 5 minutes. Add salt and the paste. Mix well in slowflame. Allow it to boil for 3 more minutes and season it with curry leaves, 2 red chilies and mustard seeds in a teaspoon of gingely oil. Garnish with corriender leaves.