Medu Vada, Tomato Rasam and Fried Egg

Ingredients

• 0.25 cup Toor Dal (rinsed well)
• 3 medium Tomatoes (ripe and roughly chopped)
• 1.5 tbsp Tamarind Paste (or a small lemon-sized ball of tamarind soaked in 1/2 cup warm water)
• 4 cup Water (divided for cooking dal and rasam base)
• 2 tsp Rasam Powder (use a good quality store-bought or homemade powder)
• 0.25 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 1 tsp Salt (or to taste)
• 0.5 tsp Jaggery (powdered, optional to balance flavors)
• 1 tbsp Ghee (can be substituted with oil for a vegan version)
• 0.5 tsp Mustard Seeds
• 0.5 tsp Cumin Seeds
• 2 whole Dried Red Chillies (broken into halves)
• 4 clove Garlic Cloves (lightly crushed with the side of a knife)
• 10 leaf Curry Leaves (fresh)
• 0.25 tsp Hing (asafoetida)
• 2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (freshly chopped, for garnish)

Instructions

1. 1

   Cook the Dal: In a pressure cooker, combine the rinsed toor dal, turmeric powder, and 1 cup of water. Pressure cook for 4-5 whistles on medium heat until the dal is completely soft and mushy. Once the pressure releases naturally, open the cooker and mash the dal well with the back of a spoon. Set aside.

2. 2

   Prepare the Rasam Base: While the dal cooks, combine the chopped tomatoes, tamarind paste, rasam powder, salt, and jaggery (if using) in a medium-sized pot. Add 2 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes until the tomatoes are soft and the raw smell of the tamarind has disappeared.

3. 3

   Combine and Simmer: Pour the mashed dal into the tomato-tamarind mixture. Add 1 more cup of water, or adjust to achieve your desired consistency. Stir everything together well. Bring the rasam to a gentle simmer over low heat for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. A frothy layer will form on top. Do not let it come to a rolling boil, as this can diminish the aroma.

4. 4

   Prepare the Tempering (Tadka): Heat ghee in a small pan (tadka pan) over medium heat. Once hot, add the mustard seeds and let them splutter completely. Add the cumin seeds, broken dried red chillies, and crushed garlic. Sauté for 30-40 seconds until the garlic turns light golden and fragrant. Finally, add the curry leaves and hing, and sauté for another 10 seconds.

5. 5

   Finish and Garnish: Immediately pour the hot tempering over the simmering rasam. You will hear a satisfying sizzle. Stir gently, then turn off the heat. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves. Cover the pot and let the rasam rest for at least 5-10 minutes for the flavors to infuse before serving.

Ingredients

• 2 large Egg
• 1 tbsp Ghee (Can be substituted with vegetable oil)
• 0.25 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
• 0.25 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 0.25 tsp Red Chili Powder (Adjust to your spice preference)
• 0.25 tsp Black Pepper Powder (Freshly ground is best)
• 1 tbsp Coriander Leaves (Finely chopped, for garnish)

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat ghee in a non-stick skillet or frying pan over medium-low heat. Swirl the pan to ensure the ghee coats the bottom evenly.

2. 2

   Gently crack the eggs into the hot pan, leaving space between them. Be careful not to break the yolks.

3. 3

   Immediately sprinkle the salt, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and black pepper powder evenly over the eggs.

4. 4

   Cook for 2-3 minutes. For a runny yolk (sunny-side up), cook until the whites are completely set. For a jammy yolk, cover the pan with a lid for the last minute of cooking to steam the top. For a fully cooked yolk, gently flip the egg and cook for another 30-60 seconds.

5. 5

   Using a spatula, carefully slide the fried eggs onto a serving plate. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves and serve immediately.