Kollu rasam is a version of rasam that you might not have tried yet. This dish’s primary ingredient is kollu (horse gram), a type of lesser-known bean renowned mostly for its utilization as horse feed. But Ayurvedic medicine considers kollu to have many medicinal qualities making this rasam somewhat of a tonic as well as a tasty dish. If you haven’t yet entered the world of rasam, this is now your chance.
Health Benefits
Kollu or horse gram is an ingredient that many people may not be familiar with. Many people consider it to be a type of superfood due to it being so rich in nutrients and minerals, like phosphorus, iron, calcium, and protein. All of these nutrients lead to a whole host of health benefits, such as preventing diarrhea, treating conjunctivitis, helping to achieve weight loss, and helping with menstrual disturbances (cramps, excessive bleeding, irregular cycle, etc.).
Ingredients
kollu: ¾ cup
small lemon-sized tamarind: 1
tomato: 1
garlic flakes - crushed using mortar and pestle: 4
dry red chillies: 2
black pepper powder: 1 tsp
cumin powder: ½ tsp
turmeric powder: ½ tsp
salt to taste
mustard seeds: 1 tsp
curry leaves: 5
coriander leaves - chopped: 1 tbsp
asafoetida: 1 pinch
How To Make Kollu Rasam
- Pressure cook the kollu for 10 whistles using 4 cups water.
- Remove the cooker from the heat and let cool.
- Separate the kollu water.
- Soak tamarind & tomato in the water.
- Add another cup of water if needed.
- Keep the cooked kollu separate in order to prepare sundal.
- Mix the squeezed tomato pulp and tamarind in kollu water after 20 mins, using your fingers.
- Heat oil in a kadhai and temper mustard seeds.
- Add curry leaves, cumin powder, broken dry red chillies, crushed garlic flakes, and black pepper powder.
- Add the asafoetida, kollu water mixture, and turmeric powder.
- Add salt to taste and chopped coriander leaves.
- Mix everything together thoroughly.
- Remove immediately from the flame once the mixture begins to boil.
- Serve hot with steamed rice.
- Packing this for lunch? Make sure you carry it in an insulated tiffin box
Trivia
- Rasam has been shown to rejuvenate the skin.
- Rasam is the most sought after comfort food across south India.