Kolombo/Sambar..

Kolombo is a Sambar which is very typical in Konkani homes. Now, though the name is the same, everyone prepares it differently. My mom prepares it two different ways, but this one is more regular. In this method, the coconut is not ground, and there is another variation in which you grind the coconut with other ingredients into a paste and then use it.

I have blogged about the Kolombya Pitto (Sambar Masala) earlier. Most people make the fresh masala right when needed to make the masala, coz that tastes the best. But you can make the powder in small batches and use and it stays just fine too.

Ingredients

Toor dal - 1/2 cup
Fresh grated coconut - 1/4 cup
Green pepper - 1/2 cup
Cauliflower florets - 1/2 cup
Tendli(Tonde Kayi) - 5-6, each cut into 4 pieces
Green Beans - 1/2 cup, chopped
Drumsticks - 4-5 pieces
Tomatoes - 1 big
Green chillies - 2, slit
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Chilli powder - 1/2 - 1 tsp, depending on your taste.
Hing (Asafoetida) - 1 small piece
Curry leaves - 5-6
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Tamarind - small marble sized ball
Kolombya Pitto/Sambar powder - 2 - 3 tsp
Oil
Salt



Method
- Wash the dal and pressure cook till its soft and mashed.
- Take the chopped tomatoes, coconut, little salt, red chilli powder, haldi powder, sambar powder in a bowl. Mix all nicely squeezing sligtly with your fingers and keep aside.
- Boil the vegetables with little water and salt in a pan. Once they are 3/4th done, add the cooked and mashed dal to it.
- Add the mixed ingredients that you have kept aside already.
- Add little cilantro, add water to adjust consistency and adjust salt and boil till done.
- In a separate small pan, heat little oil, add mustard seeds, once they splutter, add the curry leaves and hing and take off from flame. Pour this tempering over the sambar mixture and cover immediately.
- Serve hot with rice.

Some other ways to enjoy Sambar. Back home, whenever Kolombo was prepared at home, evenings I used to have it with some mixture poured over it or some Poha soaked in it, like this picture. Try it once, it tastes just great.

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