rasam

Kollu Obbat Rasam/Saaru

October 27, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

Kollu Obbat Rasam or Udupi Saaru is a traditional dish from Karnataka. The rasam is thicker, spicy with a touch of sweetness. If you love obbat rasam, you might enjoy this one.

Udupi food, the food of Karnataka boasts of many types of saaru or rasam. Saaru is thicker than traditional Chennai style rasam. It’s made with ground up masala and has a notes of sweetness to it.

We were regular visitors to Dharmastala, a temple in Karnataka. Whenever I think of that temple, I remember the food. What is very special about that temple is the free food for all that the temple provided. The most important to note was, it didn’t matter if you were poor or rich, everyone had to go to this one big hall, sit down on the floor, together and eat the meal in a banana leaf. That’s impressive, isn’t it?! To serves thousands of people free food(anna daana), and see no difference in any one, that’s how the world should be.

The food and that concept astounded and impressed me then and it does now….

Pineapple Rasam

March 13, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

Pineapple Rasam is very famous to Karnataka. This ultra satisfying, sweet and spicy is comforting and flavorful and so soothing. Pineapple Rasam has a touch of sweetness and tanginess, peppery and warm to all the senses.

My favorite (and I think the best) is a bowl of Spicy rasam with rice! Rasam’s simplicity is what is enticing. The soothing sweetness from the tomato, slight tingle from the pepper and that fresh curry leaves and asafoetida thaalipa is the crowning epilogue.

The history of rasam is as engrossing as the rasam itself. Rasam is also called chaaru, saaru and was originated in Madurai and it has probably hundreds of versions that satisfy South Indians and many around the world.

South Indians have an intimate relationship with rasam. The answer to all sickness is this slightly spiced, mixed with mushy overcooked rice. It’s given to kids, adults, when happy, sick or sad. It’s a pacifier in a bowl. Bolstered with an extra dash of ginger and pepper, it is an instant fix for an itchy throat….

Adigas Sambhar/Karnataka Style Hotel Sambhar

September 20, 2020 By Asha Shivakumar

Idli-sambhar is an emotion. This Adigas or Karnataka style hotel sambhar is spicy and slightly sweetish just like how the people of Karnataka love. Simple spices, daal, are all boiled together, to form the perfect fiery red, hot watery sambhar, which is perfect for fluffy idlis and vada. It sure will make your day a great one.

From joyful mornings, to painful waking moments to successful takeaway lessons / happy endings. To propitious experiences, and to new norms.

I land at 1.30 am, the security line is longer than I expected. I look around and see excited faces, emotions that are swelling to see their loved ones. Nervous and jittery hand movements and the phone rings. “Are you here, Ash?”, to which I excitedly scream “YESS”. I know two people are very eagerly waiting to see me, it’s almost been two years. In the blink of an eye — or it felt like that — I was done with security and at the carousel for the luggage. “URGHHH, why are my bags this delayed?” I ask myself, but I find myself surprisingly calm too. And there comes this brown baggage with a yellow tie that dad strung the last time I was in India, and oh, how I teased him when he tied that ugly looking thread. To that, he said: “At least it will stand out” ;). His face flashes in front of me. All the four bags come looking as eager for their owner as the owner itself….

Kathirikka Rasam/Eggplant Rasam

July 18, 2020 By Asha Shivakumar

Rasam is a quintessential side dish that’s enjoyed with rice. This kathirikka rasam is a very special rasam that’s served in temples, or on special occasions. It’s a specialty in some parts of Tamil Nadu that uses eggplant and a spice paste made with coconut.

Some recipes are just meant to come your way and steal your heart.

Even if you despise eggplant as I used to, you are going to like this one. Take this from someone who used to be a staunch eggplant hater.

Many of you who follow me on Instagram know I was in India for four months during this pandemic, from March to end of June. Let’s just say it wasn’t a fun one. However, like many things in life, things happen for a reason, and I chose to see the positive in everything….