Sambar (Spicy Lentil And Vegetable Stew) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

6 cups water, or more as needed
2 cups toor dal (pigeon peas)
1 onion, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
1 cup peeled, chopped pumpkin
1 cup chopped okra
1/2 cup peas
1/2 cup sliced red radishes
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon mustard seeds
6 cloves garlic, sliced
4 dried red chile peppers
2 tablespoons dried curry leaves
1 tablespoon sambar powder
1/2 cup tamarind pulp
salt to taste
1 pinch red chile powder, or to taste

Preparation

Combine water, toor dal, onion, tomato, pumpkin, okra, peas, and radishes in a pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and cook until dal, pumpkin, and radishes start to soften, 30 to 40 minutes.
Heat oil in a small pan over medium heat and add mustard seeds. Stir in garlic, red peppers, curry leaves, and sambar powder. Cook until fragrant, about 5 minutes.
Stir seasoned oil mixture into the stew and cook until flavors combine, 25 to 30 minutes more. Stir in tamarind, salt, and red chile powder.