What is Kollu Rasam
Kollu Rasam is a flavourful spicy broth (rasam) made with soaked and cooked Horsegram and spices. Served as a soup or with steamed rice
What are ways to use Horsegram
Kollu (Tamil) or Horsegram (called Kulti / Kulith in Konkani / Marathi), Huralikaalu (ಹುರುಳಿಕಾಳು) in Kannada is a protein rich lentil, and consumed for its diuretic properties, it’s also known for alleviating mild skin allergies. Today we have an aromatic broth (a.k.a Rasam) made from these lentils.
NOTE OF CAUTION : Horsegram is extreme heat-inducing in nature (ushna) just like sesame, so any dish with Horsegram is best made in rainy or winters / cooler climates
As with most Rasam varieties, this tastes best when eaten piping hot with rice and ghee along with a simple stir fry. Today’s recipe can also be made vegan if using vegan butter / ghee. Other dishes made with these legume are upperi (stir fry), Chutney, Uluva Chaaru biryani, Sundals (steamed salads) and added to salads. Konkani cuisine uses this legume extensively in their dishes like Dosa, Stir fry, palle etc. Another unique rasam with fresh fenugreek leaves is my granmom’s Menthye Kattina Saaru – be sure to check that out too.
Though not as popular as other lentils like Black gram (Urad dal) or Channa dal, this is usually eaten in rural areas for its healthy properties and is slowly making a comeback to urban kitchens now
Other UNIQUE Rasam varieties you may like on the blog:
Elumichai Rasam (Tangy Lemon Rasam, No tamarind)
Vettalai Rasam (Betel leaf rasam)
Benefits of consuming Horsegram (Source – here)
- It is high in Iron, calcium and protein, and zero fat, making it one of the highest calcium content amongst all pulses
- 100 grams of cooked Horsegram has 22 grams of protein – so another win for plant based protein, isn’t it?
- Reduces Insulin resistance with regular consumption.
- Has amazing anti-inflammatory properties.
How to cook Horsegram for Rasam and other dishes
- Cooking Horse gram is tricky, because of its hard texture , so be sure to soak it in warm water for at least 2-3 hours minutes before cooking.
- Pressure cooking works best for cooking this legume, although you can use stove top method with a large pan of boiling water for smaller quantities.
Lets get to the recipe then…
PIN FOR LATER
Kollu Rasam – Horsegram Spicy Broth – Best served with Hot rice and ghee (clarified butter)
Prep time : 15 mins, cook time : 10 mins, Serves :4
Cuisine : South Indian ; Course : Accompaniments / Sides
Ingredients to make Kollu Rasam
- 60 grams Horsegram (Kollu/ Kulti/ Kulith -soaked for 1-2 hours in hot water)
- 300 ml Hot water
- 1 tomato (medium, minced)
- 1 tsp Tamarind paste (or 1 small lemon tamarind soaked in hot water and extracted)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ghee (sub with sesame oil for vegan)
- 2 tsp Jaggery
- 1/8 tsp Turmeric powder
To grind:
- 1 tsp Cumin (Cumin seeds / Jeerige)
- 1/4 tsp Whole Black pepper (milagu/Menasu)
- 1 TBSP Coriander seeds (Dhaniya/ Kothambari beeja)
- 2 Dry Red Chillies (Vathal Milagai / Ona Menasinkaayi)
Tempering:
- 1 tsp Ghee (sub with vegan option if required)
- 1/2 tsp Mustard seeds (Kadugu / Saasive)
- 1/2 tsp Cumin (Cumin seeds / Jeerige)
- 1/8 tsp Asafoetida (Hing, skip for GF version)
- 1 sprig Curry leaves
- 1 tsp coriander leaves (minced fine)
Method to make Kollu Rasam
- Wash the lentils 2-3 times, Soak in hot water for 2-3 hours (or even overnight in the fridge).
- Drain the soaked horse gram and boil in a open pan with hot water for 10-15 mins, drain the water and reserve it. Slightly mash up the horse gram with the back of a spoon.
- Alternately, drain and pressure cook legumes for 3-4 whistles with 1 cup water till soft, drain the water and reserve.
- In a pan, roast all the ingredients to grind, one by one till aromatic. Cool and powder.
- In a deep bottomed pan, add 1.5 cups of water, half of the boiled lentil stock, tamarind paste, turmeric, salt, jaggery, ground spice powder and bring to a rolling boil. Now add the boiled horse gram and boil for 3-4 mins more.
- Prepare tempering with the tempering ingredients and add to the rasam.
- Adjust salt and spice and serve hot.
Kollu Rasam Recipe | How to make Kollu Rasam | ಹುರಳಿ ಕಟ್ಟಿನ ಸಾರು | Horsegram spicy broth
Equipment
- Pressure Cooker
- Thick Bottomed Pan
Ingredients
- 60 grams Horsegram Kollu/ Kulti/ Kulith -soaked for 1-2 hours in hot water
- 300 ml Hot water
- 1 Tomato medium, minced
- 1 tsp thick tamarind paste or 1 small lemon tamarind soaked in hot water and extracted
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp Ghee sub with sesame oil for vegan
- 2 tsp Jaggery
- 1/8 tsp Turmeric Powder
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds Cumin seeds / Jeerige
- 1/4 tsp Whole Black Pepper milagu/Menasu
- 1 TBSP Coriander seeds Dhaniya/ Kothambari beeja
- 2 Dry Red Chillies Vathal Milagai / Ona Menasinkaayi
- 1 tsp Ghee sub with vegan option if required
- 1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds Kadugu / Saasive
- 1/2 tsp Cumin seeds Cumin seeds / Jeerige
- 1/8 tsp Asafoetida Hing, skip for GF version
- 1 sprig Curry Leaves
- 1 tsp Green coriander leaves minced fine
Instructions
- Wash the lentils 2-3 times, Soak in hot water for 2-3 hours (or even overnight in the fridge).
- Drain the soaked horse gram and boil in a open pan with hot water for 10-15 mins, drain the water and reserve it. Slightly mash up the horse gram with the back of a spoon.
- Alternately, drain and pressure cook legumes for 3-4 whistles with 1 cup water till soft, drain the water and reserve.
- In a pan, roast all the ingredients to grind, one by one till aromatic. Cool and powder.
- In a deep bottomed pan, add 1.5 cups of water, half of the boiled lentil stock, tamarind paste, turmeric, salt, jaggery, ground spice powder and bring to a rolling boil. Now add the boiled horse gram and boil for 3-4 mins more.
- Prepare tempering with the tempering ingredients and add to the rasam.
- Adjust salt and spice and serve hot.
It is amazing how some of the old recipes and ingredients are becoming common due to their health benefits. Yummy looking rasam.
The rasam looks really good, I have seen the recipe before, but never tasted it.
Excellent rasam with so many health benefits .
Must be one flavorful rasam. My mother's hometown is famous for this rasam though we don't make it.
This is our favorite dish with horsegram..good one..
We serve this rasam with cream in Andhra. One of our favorite…
The rasam looks very tempting and inviting.
I second Usha.. All the traditional recipes are becoming fashion and trendy these days. Millets, horsegram are gaining their popularity. I love this rasam. very nice.
it is only after all these years that i am learning about the variety of rasams
Simply love this ultimate healthy rasam, my kind of food.
What an amazing rasam recipe Kalyani — healthy, nutritious and delicious. Horse gram is on my list to buy from Indian grocery now.
Such a healthy and comforting rasam.We make this rasam often in winter as kollu keeps the body warm..
This is one heatly and nutritious rasam. The rasam looks so inviting..
In my mom's side they don't make it but my mil's side, since they are from the Ayurvedic physicians, it is common there. Lovely post detailing the benefits.
I have never had a horse gram Rasam Kalyani. Your version looks healthy and delicious. Great way to include the pulse in daily cooking 🙂
That a healthy rasam recipe perfect and comfort food..
I have heard so much about this rasam, but never tasted it. Must try it when I come to India next time. Looks delicious!
healthy and tasty I am sure
very healthy rasam recipe
One of the rare and forgotten dish. Good that you posted it Kalyani. I love this rasam.
This is a very tasty rasam and healthy one too. I have started preparing this often now
One of the most delicious Rasam variety. I love to have it during cold winters . So comforting and nutritious too.
THanks Preethi. yes, truly comforting indeed
Kollu rasam looks inviting kalyani, i love a good rasam anyday. with so much nutritious benefits this rasam is a must try, though i have made kollu rasam, but not entirely with kollu, i sub half toor dal too, will definitely try this next time i make.
Thanks da, priya ! Rasam lovers here too !
Kalyani I have only made horse gram curry. Like this kola rasam as it gives me the opportunity to make horse gram in a different way. Perfect to sip o its own or as hubby would like with some rice.
that’s so good to know, Mayuri. Do try this rasam
Rasam looks good. I love kollu but somehow not yet making it at home. Co-incidentally,, my son was asking about it, will bring it and start cooking it.
thank you 🙂
i make kollu based recipes in winter as they warm up the body really well. Kollu rasam with marachini applam is my favorite combo.
oh that marachini appalam sounds like a fab idea. should look it up !
This kollu rasam looks delicious. Must be really warm in the winter. I just love the colour and the way you have served it.
Thank you, Mina ji !