Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a pan and fry coriander seed, methi seeds, channa dal, dried red chili until golden. Cool and powder the same.
In the same oil temper with mustard seed, urad dal and curry leaves. Add sambar onions and saute for 3-5 minutes. Add chopped tomatoes and saute well until the tomatoes turn mushy.
Add sambar powder and mix well. Saute till the raw smell of sambar powder goes off.
Add tamarind extract and mix well. Bring to a boil
Add the prepared spice powder and mix well. Boil for 5 more minutes.
Add pumpkin pieces and cooked dal. Season with salt. Mix well, cover and cook in medium flame for 10 minutes. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hotel sambar with idli or dosa.
Notes
1. You can add veggies like drumstick, potatoes if you like 2. Tamarind is optional