First pressure cook the toor dal along with garlic, asafoetida, ⅛ tsp turmeric and sufficient water for 3 whistles or until done. Once the pressure subsides, mash it to fine paste and keep aside until use.
Soak the tamarind in ¼ cup of water for about 10 mins and extract the juice and keep aside until use. Also, chop the veggies and keep aside.
Now, heat a pan with oil, add in the mustard and once it splutters, add all the other ingredients listed under "To temper". Once the urad dal turns golden, add in the curry leaves, onion, tomato and saute until onion turns translucent. Then add the prepared tamarind extract along with about 2 cups of additional water, sambar powder, ¼ turmeric powder, salt and mix well. Leave it to cook.
When the sambar comes to a rolling boil, and the raw smell of tamarind is gone, add in the raw mango and mix well. Turn the flame to low-medium and let it continue to cook. Once the raw mango is half cooked, add the mashed dal and mix well. At this stage check for the consistency of sambar and add more water if needed.
Let the sambar simmer for few more minutes until the raw mango is fully done. Finally, add the sugar/jaggery and coriander leaves, mix well and turn off the flame.
Serve hot with rice and any spicy South Indian side.
Notes | FAQ
- Adding sugar/jaggery is totally optional, but it will help round out the flavor of the sambar. - Adjust the quantity of tamarind and tomato based on the size and tanginess of the raw mango. Do not add more, since raw mango already adds a tanginess to the sambar. - If you feel the sambar consistency is thick, you can add some water, let it come to boil and turn off. If its too watery, let it simmer for extra time until your desired consistency is reached. - The cooking time of raw mango is short. As soon as the pulp of it turns translucent, it is cooked. Don't leave it to get cooked for longer, as the raw mango will get mashed out and dissolve in the sambar.