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A light and tangy South Indian soup made with ripe tomatoes, lentils, and aromatic spices. This comforting Tomato Saaru is the perfect accompaniment to steamed rice and a dollop of ghee.
For 4 servings
Pressure Cook Dal and Tomatoes
Prepare the Saaru Base
Simmer the Saaru
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A light and tangy South Indian soup made with ripe tomatoes, lentils, and aromatic spices. This comforting Tomato Saaru is the perfect accompaniment to steamed rice and a dollop of ghee.
This south_indian recipe takes 35 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 124.55 calories per serving with 4.44g of protein, it's a beginner-friendly recipe perfect for lunch or dinner or supper or side.
Prepare the Tempering (Tadka)
Combine and Serve
Add 1 tablespoon of freshly ground rasam powder made with coriander seeds, cumin seeds, black pepper, and a small piece of coconut for a thicker, more aromatic version.
Increase the garlic to 5-6 cloves. Add half while pressure cooking the dal and the other half in the tempering for a robust garlic flavor.
For a lighter soup, skip the toor dal. Simply boil and puree the tomatoes, then proceed with the recipe. This is known as 'Tomato Charu' in some regions.
Add finely chopped vegetables like carrots or drumsticks along with the tomatoes in the pressure cooker for added nutrition and texture.
Tomatoes are an excellent source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage and supports heart health.
The combination of tamarind, cumin, hing (asafoetida), and black pepper in the saaru stimulates digestive enzymes, promoting better gut health and preventing indigestion.
Spices like turmeric (containing curcumin) and garlic have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that help strengthen the immune system.
The inclusion of toor dal (pigeon peas) provides a good amount of plant-based protein, which is essential for muscle repair and overall body function.
Yes, Tomato Saaru is very healthy. It's a light, low-calorie soup packed with nutrients. Tomatoes provide antioxidants like lycopene, toor dal offers plant-based protein and fiber, and spices like turmeric, cumin, and hing have anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits.
One serving of Tomato Saaru (approximately 1 cup or 340g) contains around 90-120 calories, depending on the amount of ghee and jaggery used. It is a light and nutritious dish.
Saaru and Rasam are generally the same thin, soupy dish. 'Saaru' is the Kannada term, while 'Rasam' is the Tamil term. Sambar, on the other hand, is a much thicker stew made with a larger quantity of lentils, a specific sambar powder, and various vegetables.
Absolutely. You can cook the toor dal and tomatoes in a regular pot on the stovetop. It will take longer, about 40-50 minutes, for the dal to become completely soft. Ensure you add enough water to prevent it from drying out.
Let the saaru cool down completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it gently on the stovetop until hot, but avoid re-boiling it.
Yes, you can use a 14.5 oz (400g) can of diced or crushed tomatoes as a substitute for fresh tomatoes. The flavor might be slightly different, so you may need to adjust the amount of tamarind and jaggery accordingly.