Steamed Basmati Rice, Tomato Saaru, Cabbage Palya and Egg Fry

Ingredients

• 0.25 cup Toor Dal (rinsed thoroughly)
• 4 medium Tomatoes (ripe and roughly chopped)
• 0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 1.5 cup Water (for pressure cooking)
• 1 inch piece Tamarind (seedless)
• 0.5 cup Warm Water (for soaking tamarind)
• 2 tsp Rasam Powder (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 tsp Jaggery (grated or powdered, adjust to taste)
• 1.25 tsp Salt (or to taste)
• 1 tbsp Ghee
• 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
• 0.5 tsp Cumin Seeds
• 0.25 tsp Hing
• 2 whole Dried Red Chilies (broken into halves)
• 10 leaves Curry Leaves
• 2 cloves Garlic (lightly crushed, optional)
• 2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (finely chopped, for garnish)

Instructions

1. 1

   Pressure Cook Dal and Tomatoes

   • In a 2 or 3-liter pressure cooker, combine the rinsed toor dal, chopped tomatoes, turmeric powder, and 1.5 cups of water.
   • Secure the lid and pressure cook on medium heat for 4-5 whistles, or for about 12-15 minutes, until the dal is completely soft and mushy.
   • Allow the pressure to release naturally before opening the cooker.
2. 2

   Prepare the Saaru Base

   • While the dal is cooking, soak the tamarind piece in 1/2 cup of warm water for 10 minutes. Squeeze the tamarind well to extract all the pulp into the water, then discard the fibrous solids.
   • Once the pressure cooker is safe to open, use a whisk or an immersion blender to mash the cooked dal and tomato mixture into a smooth puree.
   • Transfer this puree to a medium-sized pot. Add the prepared tamarind water, rasam powder, jaggery, salt, and 2 additional cups of water. Stir everything together until well combined.
3. 3

   Simmer the Saaru

   • Place the pot on the stove over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
   • Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes. The saaru is ready when a light, aromatic froth forms on the surface.

Ingredients

• 500 g Cabbage (finely shredded)
• 2 tbsp Coconut Oil
• 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
• 1 tsp Urad Dal (split and skinned black gram)
• 1 tsp Chana Dal (split bengal gram)
• 0.25 tsp Hing (asafoetida)
• 2 whole Dried Red Chilies (broken in half)
• 1 sprig Curry Leaves (about 10-12 leaves)
• 1 medium Onion (finely chopped)
• 2 whole Green Chilies (slit lengthwise)
• 0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 1 tsp Salt (or to taste)
• 3 tbsp Grated Coconut (fresh or frozen, thawed)
• 2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (chopped, for garnish)
• 1 tbsp Lemon Juice (optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat coconut oil in a wide pan or kadai over medium heat. Once hot, add the mustard seeds and allow them to splutter completely, which should take about 30 seconds.

2. 2

   Add the urad dal and chana dal to the pan. Sauté for about 1 minute, stirring continuously, until they turn a light golden brown. Be careful not to burn them.

3. 3

   Add the broken dried red chilies, curry leaves, and hing. Sauté for another 30 seconds until the curry leaves are crisp and the mixture is fragrant.

4. 4

   Add the finely chopped onion and slit green chilies. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onions become soft and translucent.

5. 5

   Add the shredded cabbage, turmeric powder, and salt. Mix everything thoroughly so the cabbage is well-coated with the tempering and spices.

6. 6

   Cover the pan with a lid and reduce the heat to low-medium. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring every few minutes. The cabbage will cook in its own moisture; do not add any water.

7. 7

   Once the cabbage is tender but still has a slight crunch, turn off the heat. Avoid overcooking to prevent it from becoming mushy.

8. 8

Ingredients

• 4 pcs Large Eggs
• 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil (Or any neutral oil like sunflower or canola)
• 0.5 tsp Mustard Seeds
• 1 sprig Curry Leaves (About 10-12 leaves)
• 1 medium Onion (Finely chopped)
• 1 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
• 0.25 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 1 tsp Red Chili Powder (Adjust to your spice preference)
• 1 tsp Coriander Powder
• 0.5 tsp Black Pepper Powder (Freshly ground is recommended)
• 0.75 tsp Salt (Or to taste)
• 2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (Freshly chopped, for garnish)

Instructions

1. 1

   Boil and Prepare the Eggs

   • Place the eggs in a saucepan and cover them with cold water by at least one inch.
   • Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, turn off the heat, cover the pan with a lid, and let the eggs stand for 10-12 minutes.
   • Drain the hot water and immediately run cold water over the eggs or place them in an ice bath to stop the cooking process.
   • Once cool enough to handle, carefully peel the eggs and slice them in half lengthwise. Set aside.
2. 2

   Prepare the Masala Base

   • Heat oil in a wide, non-stick pan or skillet over medium heat.
   • Add the mustard seeds. Wait for them to splutter, which should take about 30 seconds.
   • Add the curry leaves and sauté for a few seconds until they become fragrant and crisp.
   • Add the finely chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it turns soft and golden brown, about 5-6 minutes.
3. 3

   Sauté the Spices

   • Add the ginger-garlic paste to the pan and sauté for about 1 minute until the raw aroma disappears.