Ingredients

200g	red lentils
2 tbsp	rapeseed oil
¼ tsp	fenugreek seeds
2 tsp	coriander seeds/ground
1½ tsp	cumin seeds
¾ tsp	mustard seeds
12-15	fresh curry leaves/1 ½ Tbsp dry
4	banana shallots, finely sliced
250g	butternut squash, chopped into 3cm cubes
1	medium aubergine (300g), chopped into 3cm cubes
4	medium ripe tomatoes, chopped
1¾ tsp	salt
1½ tsp	sugar
2 tsp	tamarind paste
1½ tsp	chilli powder
200g	green beans, trimmed

Instructions

Wash the lentils with cold water until the water runs clear, then put into a deep saucepan, cover with three times the amount of water and bring to the boil. Cook as directed on the packet or until soft, scooping off any foam.

Meanwhile, put 1 tablespoon of oil into a wide lidded frying pan and add the fenugreek, coriander, cumin, mustard and curry leaves. Stir-fry for a minute.

Put the remaining oil into the frying pan over a medium to high heat.

When hot the shallots, and cook for around 10 minutes, until the shallots are golden. Then add the diced squash and a couple of tablespoons of water, cover with the lid and cook for 5 minutes.

Add the aubergine and another couple of tablespoons of water, cover and cook for another 5 minutes, then add the tomatoes, along with the spices you ground earlier, the salt, sugar, tamarind paste and chilli powder. Cover again and leave to cook for a further 5 minutes, until the tomatoes have broken down and the squash is tender. Add the lentils to the vegetables (or the other way around, depending on which pan is bigger), then add the green beans and just enough water to make a very thick, soupy texture, and cook for a final 5 minutes. Taste and adjust the salt, sugar and tamarind as you wish.

Divide the sambhar into bowls, spoon over some yoghurt, and serve with rice.