basaaru is a lentil soup that is often prepared by collecting the dal water or vegetable stock after cooking the dal and veggies thoroughly. No colander is used to filter the dal water but is collected just by closing the lid of the utensil and titling it. bassaru belongs to kannada cuisine which is also prepared in some parts of Andhra Pradesh. This is often given to the sick people, nursing mothers and to babies after 8 to 10 months since it is easy for digestion and nutritious too. The authentic recipe of Bassaru does not use tamarind, onions and chilies.

bassaru | kandhi kattu chaaru | rasam with dal ka paani
Ingredients (240 ml cup used)
- 1 cup toor dal
- lemon sized ball Tamarind (soaked in hot water and filtered to remove impurities) (optional)
- 1 onion (sliced thinly) (optional)
- Few Coriander leaves with tender stalks
Tempering
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- ½ tsp mustard
- ½ tsp cumin
- 1 Garlic clove mashed (optional)
- Pinch of hing
- Pinch of pepper
- 1 tbsp. ghee or oil (ghee tastes better)
- 1 red chili (broken) / green chili (slit) (avoid if giving to baby)
How to make the recipe
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Wash and Cook 1 cup toor dal with 6 cups of water on a low flame. Cook till the dal turns mushy. This could take around 45 mins. Can even pressure cook. But the non-pressure cooked version tastes good. Close the mouth of the cooking utensil with a lid and tilt the vessel. Make way to pour the left over dal water to another utensil.
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Heat oil in a pan and temper using the tempering ingredients, add onions, salt and turmeric and fry the onions for 2 mins. Pour tamarind juice, dal water and add coriander . Bring the rasam to a boil and switch off.
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The dal can be tempered and used if you are interested. I usually throw off since it becomes tasteless.
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Serve bassaru with rice and vegetable side dish.
similar recipes,
sambar
rasam
tamarind rasam
nuggekai sambar
Jhansi says
Can i use lemon juice or tomato instead of tamarind.
swasthi says
Hi jhansi
yes you can add lemon juice. After you switch off the stove, squeeze in the juice
lakshmisiva says
Than q swasthi.. i heard dat dal intake can lead to gas r acidity.. so pleade sugst hiw many times can i give dis to my daughter in a week…
swasthi says
Hi Lakshmi,
sorry for the delay. you can give dal regularly from 8 months onwards only for lunch. Just soak the dal and rice together for 1 to 2 hours and soft cook them in pressure cook. This rasam can be given regulary for dinner after 10 months to 1 year. you can check this khicdhi recipe. you can feed this upto 5 times a week. you can use toor dal or moong dal. hope this helps
lakshmisiva says
Thanq swasthi… can i give it to her wen she ie suffering from cold or fever
swasthi says
Yes Lakshmi, you can give it to her when she has cold, phlegm or mild fever. During high fever, i don’t think it is good to give since it is hard to digest. Wishing her a speedy recovery
lakshmisiva says
Hai swasthi my baby girl is 20mnths now.. can i give kandi kattu charu for her?
swasthi says
yes Lakshmi you can give her. You can also add boiled or steamed vegetables in the rice with kandi kattu charu
PT says
mom makes it often.. i love dal rasam.. it gives a diff taste..
Swasthi Blank says
Thanks Priya. yes, it's very healthy and very easy to prepare. Do try it.
Priya Satheesh says
Very new to me….sounds very healthy n easy…