Kattina Saru - Plain Lentil Rasam

When it comes to simple comfort food, kattina saru / simple lentil rasam tops the list. A very mild spiced, yet tasty and very healthy, this one is a preferred choice for us for lunch on days we’ve had a heavy breakfast. Being very simple to make, it is a good choice for us to cook too. The spices give a subtle flavor and taste, while a correct blend of salt and jaggery and pepper make it tasty.

Kattina Saru

Preparation time : None Cooking time : 15 min Serves : 4 Ingredients: Tur Dal - 1 cup Green chili - 1 or 2 Turmeric - a big pinch Coconut milk - 1 Tbsp Jaggery - 1 small pinch Salt - ¾ tsp Curry leaves - 1 sprig Coriander leaves - 1 sprig For tempering: Ghee - 2 tsp Mustard seeds - 1 tsp Cumin seeds - 1 tsp Black pepper - ½ tsp Asafetida/hing - 1 pinch Method: • Cook tur dal with 2-3 cups of water, one green chili and turmeric in pressure cooker for 1-2 whistles • Once the pressure releases, bring it to boil again • Add salt, coconut milk, and jaggery. • Add curry leaves and coriander leaves for flavor. Let it boil for 5-10 minutes. • Adjust water to get a thin, rasam-like consistency For tempering: • Make a coarse powder of black pepper and cumin seeds • Heat ghee in a small skillet • Add mustard seeds and allow to splutter • Add cumin, pepper, hing • Mix it to the rasam just before serving • Serve piping hot with hot rice and ghee Variations: • Juice of a lemon can be if you like a sour taste