LENTILS: Add 1 cup of Lentils into a pot with 2 cups of water and bring it to a boil. Add 1 cup of water each time the liquid has evaporated. Stir the bottom occasionally and continue cooking until the Lentils have soften and turn to mush. Once cooked, Turn OFF the heat and let it cool. Once cooled, blend the Lentils with 1 cup of water until smooth and set aside.
SAMBAR PASTE: heat 2 tbsp of cooking oil in a pan until hot. Add the Coriander Seeds, Cumin Seeds, Fenugreek, Mustard Seeds, Black Gram, Chickpea, Curry Leaves and fry them for 10 seconds. Then add the Chillies and the Turmeric mix well and fry them for 30 seconds. TURN OFF the heat and let it cool. Once cooled, ground the ingredients (in a food processor or mortar pestel) with the Asafoetida and set aside.
ASSEMBLY: in a large pot, combine all your Vegetables with 4-5 cups of water and bring to a boil. Then add the Sambar Paste and mix well until the Paste dissolves completely. Then add the Tamarind Slice (or Tamarind Juice) and Palm Sugar. Mix well and cook for 5 minutes. After that, add the Lentils, Fresh Coriander Stems, Salt and mix well. Continue to cook until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency. Once cooked, turn off the heat and add the Fresh Coriander Leaves, mix well and serve.
