Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1.Prepare Ingredients

   Gather all ingredients, chop vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, drumsticks), peel shallots and garlic, and soak dals and tamarind.

2. 2.Heat Oil and Temper Mustard Seeds

   Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pressure cooker. Add 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds and let them splutter.

3. 3.Add Cumin Seeds

   Add 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds and let them fry for a few seconds until aromatic.

4. 4.Add Curry Leaves and Garlic

   Add a few curry leaves and 5 peeled garlic cloves. Fry until fragrant.

5. 5.Sauté Shallots

   Add 15 peeled shallots and sauté until they turn translucent.

6. 6.Add Chili Powder

   Add 1 tablespoon chili powder and mix well, frying for a few seconds.

7. 7.Add Dals

   Add the soaked toor dal and masoor dal to the pressure cooker and mix thoroughly with the spices.

8. 8.Add Vegetables and Turmeric

   Add 3 diced tomatoes, 2 diced potatoes, 3 dried red chilies, and 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder. Mix everything well.

9. 9.Add Water and Pressure Cook Dal

   Pour in 400ml of water. Close the pressure cooker lid and cook for 2-3 whistles on high heat until the dal is soft.

10. 10.Boil Drumsticks and Potatoes Separately

    In a separate pot, add 5 chopped drumsticks and 2 diced potatoes. Add enough water to cover them and a pinch of salt. Boil until the vegetables are tender.

11. 11.Extract Tamarind Pulp

    While the dal and vegetables are cooking, extract the pulp from the soaked tamarind.

12. 12.Open Pressure Cooker

    Once the pressure cooker has cooled down naturally, open the lid.

13. 13.Combine Boiled Vegetables and Dal

    Add the boiled drumsticks and potatoes (from step 10) to the cooked dal mixture in the pressure cooker.

14. 14.Add Sambar Powder

    Add 3 tablespoons of sambar powder and mix well.

15. 15.Add Drumstick Broth

    Pour in the broth from the boiled drumsticks and potatoes (from step 10) to achieve the desired consistency.

16. 16.Add Tamarind Pulp

    Add half of the extracted tamarind pulp. Stir well and let it simmer for a few minutes to combine flavors.

17. 17.Adjust Seasoning

    Add salt to taste if required.

18. 18.Serve

    Serve the hot drumstick sambar with steamed rice and papad.