Nature offers us such
a vibrant food palette – from deep greens of Spinach to Orange-yellows of
Squash to fuchsia pink of beetroot, its a riot of colour on our plate. And a
wonderful way to celebrate that is to dedicate one colour per day to a dish. Isn't that a fantastic idea?
So, lets get to see the
colour green in all its vibrancy in today’s dish – Menthya Kattina Saaru.
Today’s dish is
rustic in its approach, but divine in taste. Translating this dish from the
native Kannada “Menthya Kattina Saaru” would mean Fenugreek
Broth... but that doesn’t do justice.
For those brought up in the Bangalore and
/ or Karnataka, Kattina Saaru (the essence of the lentils along with the sautéed
fenugreek) is bliss, and this is one hallmark dish of both grandmom and mom.
Naturally, I love it to bits, and so does sis. The essence of this Saaru (or
Rasam / thickish broth) is that masala with a generous hint of asafoetida (skip for GF and proceed with the rest of the recipe) teamed with earthy flavours of fresh coriander and cumin seeds and lots of
freshly grated coconut. This is a thicker consistency than the usual rasam, and it thickens a bit after sitting, so switch off while still still like a slightly thick broth.
And the best part,
like Kuzhambus (or thick tamarind based gravies),this tastes great the next day, which is precisely
the reason why I ask mom to make double the quantity so that I could have it
the next day too.
Goes very well with sautéed
greens (use Fenugreek / Agathikeerai) , hot rice and a dollop of ghee. Similarly pairs well with Ragi Mudde
(steamed Finger Millet Dumplings). For that complete meal, end with a glass of spicy
buttermilk and you would know what I am talking about.
Prep time : 20 mins |
Cook time : 20 mins | Serves : 4 generousluy
Difficulty level :
Medium | Spice level : Medium
Serving suggestions :
Hot Steamed rice or Ragi Mudde (Finger Millet dumplings)
Tips /Notes : Fenugreek leaves (methi) works best for this dish. Do not substitute with spinach or any other greens. A great medicinal substitute and with exactly the same procedure would be Agathi Keerai (Agathi Soppu or Sesbania Grandiflora). Only with Agathi Keerai, you might want to add a little more jaggery as the leaves are quite bitter, but they make a brilliant dish.
Ingredients:
- Fenugreek leaves – 2 large bunches (or once sorted – 6-7 large cups)
- Salt – to taste
- Toor Dal – ½ cup – soaked in hot water for 20 mins
- Turmeric – ½ TBSP
- Oil – 2 tsp
- Jaggery – ½ TBSP
- Tempering : Oil, mustard seeds, Red chillies (broken)
PIN FOR LATER
Masala paste:
- Fresh coconut – ½ cup
- Tamarind – a tiny roundel
- Red chillies – 3 (adjust spice)
- Cumin seeds – ½ TBSP
- Raw Rice – ½ TBSP
- Coriander seeds – 2 TBSP
- Hing / Asafoetida – a generous pinch (simply skip for GF)
Method:
1) Pick, sort, wash and
chop the fenugreek leaves. If using frozen, thaw till it reaches room temperature.
2) In 2 tsp of oil,
roast all ingredients of the masala paste except coconut and keep aside. The
In a large pot, bring
6 cups of water to a rolling boil. Add the turmeric and the soaked dal. Once
the dal is half cooked, add the fenugreek leaves and boil till the dal is done
(it should flatten out in your fingers, but not be mushy).
3) Drain the water well and
retain both the leaves-dal as well as the water. Mash the mixture slightly so
that all water drains out.
4) Once the dal-leaves
mixture is cooled, take 2 ladlefuls of it, and along with the coconut and the
roasted ingredients of the masala, make a smooth paste. Reserve the rest of the
dal-mixture as it is.
5) In a wok, heat oil
and prepare the tempering. Once the chillies slightly sizzle, add the ground
paste, salt & jaggery. Saute for 2 – 3 mins, add the rest of the dal water
now. Let the mixture simmer on low-medium flame for 6 – 9 mins till it thickens
a bit (the rice and the coriander in the masala paste will help it do so).
6) Once a nutty,earthy
aroma comes. Switch off the stove and transfer to a serving bowl. Add a dollop
of ghee and close the lid.
7) With the remaining cooked
dal-leaves mixture, prepare a dry curry exactly like this curry. Temper with
mustard, fresh coconut and asafoetida
8) Serve the Rasam and sautéed
greens for a wholesome healthy experience !
Very healthy dish Kalyani and I love the green on the brown as well..:)
ReplyDeleteVery refreshing and yummy dal rasam.
ReplyDeleteSounds yummy ..
ReplyDeletevery healthy one
ReplyDeleteVery delicious and authentic recipe.. looks great!!
ReplyDeleteDelicious dal rasam.
ReplyDeleteVery healthy saaru :) I wud love to have some, but sadly I do not get methi leaves here :( And I love the way u have written the intro !! I felt like having the entire meal menu that u had said ;) Slurp !!
ReplyDeleteThat is one flavorful healthy saaru! Btw, even I have menthi recipe lined up for today.
ReplyDeleteVery healthy and definitely a flavourful saaru.
ReplyDeleteloving this variety of rasam never seen before
ReplyDeleteWelcome back Kalyani...missed you...and your typical signature recipes. Saaru looks great.
ReplyDeleteNew to me ! Looks great!
ReplyDeleteGreat one my mom use to do similar kind but without toordal bookmarking.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely saaru! A very different preparation :)
ReplyDeleteLovely chaaru. Delicious
ReplyDeleteHealthy & comforting saaru..
ReplyDeleteNew to me kalyani.I love fenugreek leaves and prepare kootu and use it with aloo in curries. Must try this one.
ReplyDeleteSounds very new to me Kalyani. But nonetheless a healthy version!
ReplyDeleteSpicy and tasty
ReplyDeleteI use fenugreek leaves a lot but never made this rasam. Sounds so flavoursome and a comfort food anytime.
ReplyDeleteMenthye kattu saaru is so flavorful and delicious. Perfect with ragi mudde. Absolute bliss.
ReplyDeleteA great way to use winter fresh fenugreek leaves to make a delicious and healthy menthya kattu rasam. We sometimes add to kadhi but haven't tried with dal. I totally agree with you, most dal preparations taste so much better the following day.
ReplyDeleteLoved the colour of the saaru, Kalyani. I too make but this method also looks delicious. One of the healthy saaru.
ReplyDelete