Kattu Saaru - Lentil Soup

Hello ppl. Hope you are fine. Its a real bliss, this lovely weather. All you hear is the wind howling and the birds having a dialogue or two with their beloveds. Seems like the nature is at its best and assuring of all the good things to come. Gives hope and enthusiasm to all humans.

This is one such recipe which can be used while healthy or sick. It is like the best medicine and a kick start to your digestive system. Almost the vegetarian version for chicken soup. WhileI had my fair share of flu, all I had was soft brown rice and this. Believe me I was in heaven and it helped me to recover soon. I would have it any day, in sickness or in health :). There is not much heat from the chilies since its only split and thrown off after boiling, and not much salty or oily, its the best form of having your vegetarian protein. Make sure to have it hot, really hot.

Well if you are perfectly ok and want to just try this, I suggest eating with something spicy. It goes really well. You can adjust the water quantity. If you add more water use it with rice, if less, have it with chapati.

Serves: 3 - 4

Preparation Time: 20 mins to cook the lentils + 10 mins

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup split dry yellow pigeon peas
• 1-2 green chili slit lengthwise
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp coriander leaves chopped ( you can use stems as well)
• 1 tsp oil
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• A pinch of hing or asafetida
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp black pepper corns
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt as needed
• 1 tbsp coconut shredded (optional)

Method:

• Cook the lentil in pressure cooker for 3-4 whistle with almost 1 to 2 and half cups water, salt and turmeric, with a closed lid.
• In a sauce pan, heat oil. Once hot, add in the hing and mustard seeds, let it crackle.
• Crush the cumin and pepper corn coarsely using a pestle and mortar and add it to the tempering.
• To this add the slit chilies and curry leaves and fry for 2 seconds.
• Add in the cooked lentil along with its stock and more water as you like your soup to be. Let it boil for 5 minutes. Check for salt.
• Switch off the stove, add chopped coriander, lemon juice and coconut and give it a mix. Let it stand for 2 mins then serve hot.