Loading...
A light and tangy Goan tomato and coconut soup, bursting with coastal flavors. This comforting saar is gently spiced and slightly sweet, making it the perfect accompaniment to steamed rice for a simple, soulful meal.
For 4 servings
Sauté the Aromatics and Tomatoes
Blend and Strain the Base
Simmer the Saar
A classic Goan-style stir-fry, known as 'fugath', featuring succulent prawns and crisp-tender cabbage. This quick and easy dish is tempered with mustard seeds and curry leaves, and finished with fresh coconut for a light, flavorful, and healthy weeknight meal.
A classic Goan delicacy featuring fresh clams cooked in a semi-dry, spiced coconut masala. This dish perfectly balances spicy, tangy, and sweet flavors, bringing the taste of the Goan coast to your table.
A comforting Goan-style curry where eggs are gently poached in a fragrant, tangy coconut gravy. This coastal classic is quick to make and pairs beautifully with steamed rice for a wholesome meal.
A classic Goan vegetarian curry featuring tender white peas simmered in a fragrant, roasted coconut and spice masala. This tangy and savory dish is a coastal favorite, perfect with Goan pav or steamed rice.
A light and tangy Goan tomato and coconut soup, bursting with coastal flavors. This comforting saar is gently spiced and slightly sweet, making it the perfect accompaniment to steamed rice for a simple, soulful meal.
This goan recipe takes 30 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 281.94 calories per serving with 4.56g of protein, it's a beginner-friendly recipe perfect for lunch or dinner or side or soup.
Prepare the Tempering (Tadka)
Combine and Serve
For a more traditional Goan flavor, replace the tamarind paste with 2-3 pieces of dried kokum. Add the kokum along with the water and simmer.
Increase the number of green chilies or add a pinch of black pepper powder along with the other spices for extra heat.
You can make a 'Jain' or 'Satvik' version by omitting the onion and garlic. The saar will still be flavorful due to the other spices.
For a slightly thicker and creamier saar, use regular (not light) coconut milk. Be extra careful not to boil it.
Tomatoes are an excellent source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage and reduces the risk of chronic diseases.
The spices used in the tempering, such as ginger, curry leaves, and hing (asafoetida), are known for their digestive properties, helping to prevent bloating and improve gut health.
This saar contains ingredients like garlic, turmeric (with its active compound curcumin), and tomatoes (rich in Vitamin C), all of which contribute to a stronger immune system.
Turmeric and ginger are potent natural anti-inflammatory agents that can help reduce inflammation in the body, providing relief from related ailments.
A single serving (approximately 1 cup or 245g) of Goan Tomato Saar contains around 120-150 calories, depending on the amount of oil and the fat content of the coconut milk used.
Yes, it is quite healthy. It's packed with antioxidants from tomatoes (lycopene), vitamins, and beneficial compounds from spices like turmeric and ginger. It's a light, plant-based soup that's good for digestion and immunity.
The key is to maintain a low temperature. Add the coconut milk when the heat is low and only bring the saar to a gentle simmer. Never let it reach a rolling boil after the coconut milk has been added.
While coconut milk is characteristic of the Goan style, you can make a simpler tomato saar without it. Just increase the amount of water slightly. The result will be more like a traditional rasam and less creamy.
Goan Tomato Saar is best served with hot steamed rice. It also pairs well with a simple vegetable stir-fry (poriyal/thoran) and papad for a complete, comforting meal.
Yes, you can use a 14.5 oz (400g) can of crushed or diced tomatoes instead of fresh ones. The flavor will be slightly different, and you may need to adjust the jaggery and salt as canned tomatoes can be more acidic.