Moong Daal Rasam/Pesara Kattu

Now the spring is just days away and still the cold air is around and am talking about making a rasam that suits the summer weather.Well,yesterday for us the temperature was nice and warm and reminded me of the summer special kattu/rasam that we made every year during the summer time.(As I mentioned it as rasam don't think this has rasam powder.No,this is another rasam without rasam powder).So I made it today and this is how this simple and easy recipe is made---------------------

Main Ingredients :
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Moong Daal.................1cup
Water..........................4cups
Green Chillies...............3

Seasoning Ingredients :
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Oil/Ghee......................2tsp
Cumin Seeds................1tsp
Mustard Seeds.............1tsp
Turmeric......................1/2tsp
Asafoetida...................1/4tsp
Red Chilly....................1
Salt..............................to taste
Curry Leaves...............1sprig
Lemon Juice................to taste

Garnish :
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Cilantro.................few leaves

Preparation :
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Rinse the moong daal and soak for 15 min.Later place the daal in a vessel add water,salt, turmeric and slit chillies and pressure cook this daal for 3 whistles.Turn off the cooker and wait for the pressure to release.

Now let's prepare the seasoning.Take a pan and add ghee/oil and once it is hot add mustard seeds,cumin seeds,red chilly and asafoetida.

Take the cooked daal out from the cooker and add some curry leaves and seasoning to the daal.(If daal is too thick you can add some more water and let it come to a boil.)

Now switch off the stove and add lemon juice according to your taste.(As this recipe is good for summer-time to reduce heat in the body.Adding little more lemon juice enhances the flavor and is also healthy).

Now garnish with cilantro.The simple Moong Daal Rasam or Pesara Kattu is ready to be served.

This can be served hot as a soup or can be eaten with hot rice.

Note :

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1)Moong Daal is a coolant.This legume is consumed more during summer-time as it has a cooling effect on the body.

2)Lemon juice is a great coolant.We wait for a glass of lemonade to quench our thirst during summer.When this juice is added to the moong daal the flavor is enhanced and it becomes a much heathier soup for the summer-time.