Broccoli Rasam / Broccoli Paruppu Rasam / Broccoli Lentils Soup

South Indian Meals does not complete without a Rasam. Rasam is nothing but a light, tangy & flavorful soup made using tomato, lentils, crushed whole pepper, jeera/Cumin seeds & Garlic. it can be had as such to treat sore throat, cold & cough and generally its taken along with plain rice. But some people love Rasam with Idli, Dosa, Upma, Vadai.

As i have already mentioned in my Broccoli Spinach Kootu that i love cooking Broccoli Indian Way. After trying broccoli in sambar, Kootu i wanted to try a Rasam with it, so recently tried Broccoli Rasam n to my surprise the taste & Flavor turned out so good. I was so excited n happy with my creation, one more addition to my Broccoli Recipes.

For this broccoli rasam i also added cooked lentils/dal to make it more filling n healthy. This is one super filling soup for diet people. Before having my lunch i just had a small bowl full of this rasam like soup, it was so appetizing n soothing. the crushed whole pepper, jeera & Garlic and the fresh cilantro flavor dominated more. After sipping The piping hot rasam i felt more filling & fresh. I have no words to describe the taste n flavor, just give it a try n def u will accept my words. Its a must try for all those looking for a recipe - Vegan, healthy, filling, low calorie with no comprise in taste n flavor. Now off to the recipe...

Ingredients

1. Broccoli   1 medium Crown (cut into small florets)
2. Tuvar Dal / lentils     4 tbsp 
3. Tomato   1 small (blend it coarsely or mash it using hands)
4. Tamarind Paste    1/2 tsp (dissolved in 1/4 cup water)
5. Turmeric powder    1/4 tsp
6. Cilantro    5-6 stems
7. Salt    to taste
8. Oil     2 tsp
9. Mustard seeds    1/2 tsp
10. Curry leaves    1 sprig
11. Dry Red chilli   2-3 no.s
12. Hing   1/4 tsp

To coarsely grind /crush

1. Cumin seeds / Jeera    2 tsp
2. Pepper corns   1/2 tsp
3. Garlic    3 cloves

Method

• Cook Tuvar dal with 2 cups of water until soft n mushy(do not drain water, use it with the cooked water) & keep aside.
• Wash broccoli crown in running water, drain and chop into small florets and again wash the florets thoroughly using colander, drain and keep ready.
• In a blender take cumin seeds, pepper corns, garlic cloves and pulse it for few seconds n keep ready. You can pound it using pestle &  mortar.
• Chop tomato and add to a small bowl and mash it well and mix along with tamarind water and keep ready.

• Now heat oil in a wok/sauce pan, when its heated add mustard seeds and wait till it splutter then add dry red chilli, curry leaves, crushed cumin-pepper-garlic, hing and stir fry for few seconds.
• After that add broccoli florets, sprinkle little salt and stir fry with the spices for a minute.

• And then close the pan with lid, cook in medium heat for 1-2 minutes.
• Now the broccoli florets will be half cooked, and now add cooked tuvar dal, tomato - tamarind water, enough salt and u can also 1/2 cup of water, mix everything well.
• Then sprinkle turmeric powder and close the pan with lid and cook in medium heat.
• Once the rasam/soup starts boiling add roughly chopped cilantro/coriander leaves and again close the pan with lid and simmer for a minute.

• After that switch off the stove and leave the rasam to set for 10 minutes.
• That's it...Flavorful, Tasty & Healthy Broccoli Paruppu Rasam ready. This rasam can be had as a soup or with plain rice, upma, idly, etc.

Notes:

Don't let the rasam to boil completely, it should remain frothy.(see step wise pic).

If u want u can also add 1-2 tsp rasam powder after adding dal, tomato-tamarind water.