I have recently started incorporating horsegram or kulthi in my diet. As a part of kollu recipes, I already shared the simple recipe of Kollu Soup or Horsegram soup earlier.
Today I am sharing the recipe of Kollu rasam which a Tamil friend told me about. I absolutely love this recipe. It is easy to make, tasty and is supposedly good for colds and coughs. This is also called Ulava Charu or Andhra style horsegram rasam. The only difference is that in that recipe, one does not use tomatoes but uses tamarind water in its place.
So here’s my easy recipe of Kollu Rasam:
Horsegram Rasam | Kollu Rasam Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tomatoes finely chopped
- ½ cup Horsegram or Kollu sprouted or soaked in water
- 6-7 cloves garlic
- 10 black peppercorn
- ½ tsp. roasted cumin powder
- Salt to taste
For the tempering
- 1 tsp. oil
- ½ tsp. mustard seeds
- 1 pinch asafetida
- 3-4 dry red chillies
- 1 sprig curry leaves
For garnish
- cilantro Chopped
Instructions
- Cook finely chopped tomatoes with a little water and salt in a pan. Should take about 5 minutes to get squishy. Mash with the back of a ladle.
- Soak horsegram or kollu in water overnight. Now pressure cook with 2 cups of water till the horsegram is cooked. Strain the water to use in rasam.
- In a blender, blend together garlic, peppercorns and one ladle full of cooked kollu or horsegram. If you wish, you could blend the squished tomatoes here as well.
- Now put this back on the fire with 2 cups of strained kollu water. Add salt to taste along with cumin powder and cook out for 4-5 minutes.
- Add more water if the rasam feels thick.
- Now heat oil and add mustard seeds. Allow to sputter. Add the remaining ingredients and let them cook for a few seconds.
- Pour into the hot rasam. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with rice.
Notes
- I like to sprout my kollu or horsegram. It ups the nutrition of the grain.
- To make ulava charu, don't use tomatoes. Just add 1 tbsp. tamarind paste to the boiled horse gram blended with horse gram water along with other spices and make the same recipe.
- I also make a simple stir fry of the boiled horsegram to go with the food.
- You may use one tbsp. of tamarind extract if you like your rasam to be more tart. I prefer the sourness from tomatoes.
- This is a tasty and very comforting rasam recipe that is also very good for you.
Nutrition
Step-by-step Instructions
Cook finely chopped tomatoes with a little water and salt in a pan.
In a blender, blend together garlic, peppercorns and one ladle full of cooked kollu or horsegram. If you wish, you could blend the squished tomatoes here as well.
Now put this back on the fire with 2 cups of strained kollu water. Add salt to taste and cook out for 4-5 minutes.
Add more water if the rasam feels thick.
Temper and garnish with coriander leaves. Serves hot kollu rasam with boiled rice.
So this was the easy Kollu rasam recipe. Do try it. I am sure you will enjoy this variation of rasam with your food.
I normally drink it like kollu soup.
Did you like this recipe? If you did, please share with your friends.
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Mayuri Nidigallu says
Horsegram is a favorite in my house , and it’s health benefits are many. I had never heard of Horsegram Rasam, till I read your post. I think I will follow your simple recipe and give it a go.
I love your food posts because your recipes are uncomplicated and quick to make.Thanks for sharing.
Rajlakshmi says
I don't think I have had horsegram before. Looks so delicious. You always prepare such healthy food ?
Shailaja V says
Rasam is a favourite and staple dish at home. 🙂 Haven't tried this variant though. Will see if I can get my hands on some horse gram this week and make the rasam. Will anyway need it to make sundal for navarathri 🙂
Rachna says
Yes, do try it.
Sonia Chatterjee says
Horsegram is my husband’s favorite. Having stayed in Bangalore / Mysore for twelve years, rasam has become a staple item in our diet atleast twice weekly even in Kolkata. So this goes on my must try list
Rachna says
That's nice to know. Not too many people cook with it. I do hope you try this rasam recipe.
Soumya Prasad says
I love kollu, I think it is a very delicious lentil! I love making a sabzi out of it with palak, it is super nutritious and delicious.
Kollu rasam is so healthy and tasty. I follow the exact same recipe, except that I blend the tomatoes. Just cannot eat cooked tomatoes in any form.
swathi says
no tamarind required?