Lemon Rasam / Nimbehannina Saru

Written By: Evergreendishesdev
Published on: July 28, 2021
lemon rasam

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Lemon Rasam  is another kind of rasam made during monsoon days. The citrusy flavour with the aroma of fresh herbs is tasty and soothing. It is a healthy and comfort food for many people. The ease and simplicity of the recipe makes it a go to recipe. 

Rasam, as we all know is a lentil based, soup like dish tempered with spices. It is popular in South India and pairs well with hot, steamed rice. Sometimes, it is the simplest of the food like this,  gives immense comfort. I remember, after eating out for a week during our trips, it was simple, home cooked food we longed the most. The rasam varieties shared earlier are drumstick rasam, mysore rasam, andhra rasam

Lemon Rasam is  a simple yet flavoursome dish, it makes a good accompaniment with hot steamed rice. One can use it as a soup too. . There is hardly any rasam powder used, no tamarind and no garlic too.  If you have not tried it yet, do give a try,  The herbs and lemon give a good taste to it. Every household has its own lemon rasam recipe. Some use moong dal instead of tur dal while others do not add any pepper. However, ,the basic ingredients of tomato, ginger, coriander, green chillies and lemon remain the same. 

lemon rasam

lemon rasam

About the  event: 

It's raining  and we at Shhh Secretly Cooking Challenge have a host of monsoon recipes. The theme was suggested by Shobha Keshwani. She is a wonderful blogger who showcases many kinds of recipes on her blog. I want to try her Adraki Aloo.   Coincidentally, she is my partner too for the challenge. She has given me ghee and asafoetida and I have made this recipe. I had given her ginger and pepper and she has made a unique Drumstick soup

shhh cooking secretly

Let's get to the  Lemon Rasam Recipe: 

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups water
  • 2 tomatoes
  • 1 inch ginger
  • 3 green chilli
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • a few curry leaves
  • 1/4 cup coriander leaves
  • 1/2 cup tur dal
  • 1 lemon
  • salt to taste

 

For tempering:

 

  • 1 teaspoon ghee
  • 1/2teaspoon mustard seed
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon asafoetida
  • 1 red chilly
  • a few curry leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper powder

 

 

Method:

  1. Wash the tur dal and cook it in a pressure cooker with a little turmeric powder. It should be soft and well cooked. 
  2. Take water in a pan, add tomato pieces, grated ginger, slit green chilli, turmeric powder, coriander and curry leaves to it. Boil them for sometime. The tomatoes should be well cooked. 
  3. Mash the dal well with the back of the ladle. Add it to the boiled broth along with salt.
  4. Make seasoning. In a small pan, take ghee, add mustard seeds. As they splutter put asafoetida and turmeric powder, throw in the red chilly, a few curry leaves and pepper powder. Put the tempering into the rasam. 
  5. Once it boils,  put lemon juice to it and remove from stove. 
  6. Lemon rasam is ready to serve. 

Take a tip: 

  • Do not skip adding ginger, green chilli, coriander and curry leaves.
  • Use fresh coriander. Chop it finely.
  • Quantity of green chilli may be adjusted. 
  • Rasam can be used as a soup on a cold winter night. 

Video Recipe is here : 

 

lemon rasam
Evergreendishesdev

Lemon Rasam

Lemon rasam is another variety of rasam. It is tasty and makes a good food during monsoon.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course: lunch ideas, Main Course
Cuisine: karnataka, South Indian

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups water
  • 2 to matoes
  • 1 inch ginger
  • 3 green chilli
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • a few curry leaves
  • 1/4 cup coriander leaves
  • 1/2 cup tur dal
  • 1 lemon
  • salt to taste
  • For tempering:
  • 1 teaspoon ghee
  • 1/4 teaspoon mustard seed
  • 1/4 teaspoon asafoetida
  • 1 red chilly
  • a few curry leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper powder

Equipment

  • pressure cooker
  • pan
  • ladle

Method
 

  1. Wash the tur dal and cook it in a pressure cooker with a little turmeric powder. It should be soft and well cooked.
  2. Take water in a pan, add tomato pieces, grated ginger, slit green chilli, turmeric powder, coriander and curry leaves to it. Boil them for sometime. The tomatoes should be well cooked.
  3. Mash the dal well with the back of the ladle. Add it to the boiled broth along with some salt.
  4. Make seasoning. In a small pan, take ghee, add mustard seeds. As they splutter put asafoetida and turmeric powder, throw in the red chilly, a few curry leaves and pepper powder. Put the tempering into the rasam.
  5. Once it boils,  put lemon juice to it and remove from stove.
  6. Lemon rasam is ready to serve.

Notes

  • Do not skip adding ginger, coriander, curry leaves and green chilli. They give a good flavour to it. 
  • Use fresh coriander leaves and chop them finely. Remove the grime by putting in water.
  • Quantity of green chilli can be adjusted as per preference. 
  • You can use it as a soup on a cold winter night. 
Lemon rasam/ nimbehannina saaru is a comfort food during monsoon and winter season. It is ideal to serve for a quick lunch or dinner.

lemon rasam / nimbehannina saaru

If you ever make this Lemon Rasam   recipe or any of my other dishes,  do take a picture and tag @foodiejayashree on Instagram or @evergreendishes on Facebook or Twitter. I will be glad to see your creation and share it further. Let’s be connected, do follow on social media platforms. Until next time, let’s stay connected.  Subscribe to get all updates and an e-book for free. Check out my e-books on Amazon.  Happy Cooking !

16 Comments

  1. shobhakeshwani

    Lovely rasam recipe for a rainy day. Rasam is such a versatile dish and so comforting and light on the stomach. The best part is we can have a different variation everyday.

  2. mayurisjikoni

    Such a flavourful rasam recipe Jayashree. Can’t wait for the cold season to set in so that I have an excuse to make this comforting lemon rasam.

  3. cakesncurries

    A beautiful medley of flavours in your Lemon Rasam. Rasam is so welcome on cold winter nights. Waiting for this oppresive heat to subside and winter to set in. Then I shall make your Lemon Rasam.

  4. sizzlingtastebuds

    limbehaanina anna-saaru, beans or cabbage palya.. nijavaagalu swarga ne.. especially in the monsoons, Jayashree

    • The Girl Next Door

      Lemon rasam is a huge favourite at our place. We adore it with some piping hot rice – just perfect for a chilly, rainy day. Beautiful recipe!

    • Sasmita Sahoo

      wow !! just perfect for current days. Love to sip some hot piping rasam like yours . Lemon rasam looks awesome

  5. Renu Agrawal Dongre

    Love to sip on hot piping rasam on a cold and rainy day. Love lemon rasam

    • poonampagar

      I love to try out different rasam varieties amd this lemon rasam sounds super flavorful! Perfect treat on a chilly evening.

  6. Seema Sriram

    I love having lemon rasam when it pours with rice and palliya. It is very comforting and soothing meal.

  7. FoodTrails

    Comforting and so delicious rasam recipe for rainy or winter days.. especially when suffering from cold and cough.. Thanks for wonderful share.

  8. vasusvegkitchen

    Lemon rasam is one of my favourite rasam recipe, loved your version. Ghee used for tempering add good taste to rasam. Perfect and soothing rasam for Monsoon season.

  9. Anu Kollon

    Lemon rasam is such a flavorsome rasam. They make perfect by the side of steamed rice.

  10. preethicuisine

    Lemon rasam is my all time favourite rasam .I love to drink just like soup during the cold wet weather or during seasonal chnages.Absolutely flavorful and delish rasam.