Wash toor dal well until water runs clear. In a pressure cooker add the dal, finely chopped onions, tomatoes, hing & turmeric powder and water. Pressure cook dal in medium flame till soft. You should be able to mash it easily with a back of spoon or spatula.

In another pot, heat up oil or ghee, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves & green chilli and reduce flame to lowest. Add Sambar powder and give a very quick mix and add a quarter cup of water to this pot immediately. So it is very important that you keep some water ready by the side before you add sambar powder to this hot oil mix or the sambar powder will start to burn.

Now, add the cooked dal mixture and give it all a good mix. Add salt to your preference.At this stage you can adjust the consistency of sambar by adding more water. And let it boil for 5-7 minutes. Add fresh coriander leaves and serve with steaming hot idlis and ghee. And ofcourse, along with a cup of our very own filter kaapi/coffee to kickstart your day.