Honeydew Melon Sambhar

Preparation

• Pressure cook toor dal until it's done. Keep aside.
• In a bowl heat the oil and add mustard seeds. When they splutter add cumin seeds and fry for 2 seconds.
• Then add curry leaves + tomatoes + melon pieces + turmeric + sambhar powder + asafetida to the bowl and stir well.
• Add the chili powder too if using. Add a small amount of water just to soak the melon pieces, cover and leave the bowl for some time on medium flame.
• After some time check if the melon pieces are soft (don't let it turn too soft and mushy).
• If they are soft, add the cooked dal along with tamarind pulp and sugar and stir well.
• Add some more water and let the sambhar cook for some time more until it comes to a boiling point. Add salt and cilantro and mix well.