North Karnataka Saaru

Name: North Karnataka Saaru
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 2-3 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup Toor Dal; 3 cups water; 1 medium Tomato, chopped; 1 small Onion, thinly sliced; 1 tsp tamarind paste; 1 tsp jaggery; 1 tsp Mustard Seed; 1 tsp Cumin, seeds; 1 pinch asafoetida; 1 tsp turmeric powder; 2 tsp red chili powder; 2 tbsp Coconut, freshly grated; 2 tbsp Cilantro, chopped; 2 tbsp oil; salt, to taste

Veg

The household rasam of North Karnataka — toor dal water simmered with tamarind, tomato, and a ground North Karnataka saaru masala of coriander, pepper, cumin, and dried chilli, finished with a ghee tempering of mustard seeds and curry leaves. Thinner and more peppery than sambar, sharper than Tamil rasam; drunk as a digestive at the end of a meal or mixed into rice in the middle of the thali.

Cuisines

Udupi North Karnataka

Best for

Lunch Dinner

Recipe

Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Total: 45 min 2-3 servings

Ingredients

	1 cup	Toor Dal
	3 cups	Water
	1 medium	Tomato , chopped
	1 small	Onion , thinly sliced
	1 tsp	Tamarind paste
	1 tsp	Jaggery
	1 tsp	Mustard Seed
	1 tsp	Cumin , seeds
	1 pinch	Asafoetida
	1 tsp	Turmeric powder
	2 tsp	Red chili powder
	2 tbsp	Coconut , freshly grated
	2 tbsp	Cilantro , chopped
	2 tbsp	Oil
	—	Salt , to taste

Instructions

1 Wash the toor dal thoroughly and pressure cook it with 3 cups of water until soft.
2 Chop the tomato and onion finely.
3 In a pan, heat oil and add mustard seeds. Once they splutter, add cumin seeds and asafoetida.
4 Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
5 Add the chopped tomato and cook until it becomes soft.
6 Mix in the turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt.
7 Add the cooked toor dal to the pan and mix well.
8 Stir in the tamarind paste and jaggery, and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
9 Add freshly grated coconut and simmer for another 5 minutes.
10 Garnish with chopped coriander leaves before serving.

Tips

For a richer flavor, add a teaspoon of ghee before serving.