Dharmastala Temple Style Thili Saaru

Dharmasthala Temple Style Thili Saaru is a simple, flavorful Karnataka-style lentil-based soup (rasam) known for its mild, tangy taste, made with cooked toor dal, tamarind, jaggery and a unique spice blend (saaru pudi) made with coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, black pepper, and dry red chilies, often tempered with coconut oil/ ghee, reflecting the temple's simple yet spiritually rich food traditions when served with hot steamed rice. The "Thili" (thin) aspect emphasizes its light, watery consistency, perfect for mixing with rice.

YouTube link:

https://youtube.com/shorts/NQ5HeRvOsGg?si=nLCEgveYRnSZja2v

Ingredients:

· Toor dal/ Pigeon pea – ¼ cup  

. Turmeric powder

For Ground masala:

· Coriander seeds – 1 tbsp

· Cumin seeds – ¾ tsp

· Fenugreek (Methi) seeds – ¼ tsp

· Bydagi mirchi – 3-4

. Black Pepper – ½ tsp

· Coconut – ¼ cup

· Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp

· Tamarind – very small lemon size

· Jaggery – ½ tbsp (as per your preference)

· Salt

· Coriander leaves for garnishing

For tempering:

· Coconut oil/ ghee - 1 tbsp

· Mustard seeds – ¼ tsp

· Dry red chillies - 2 nos.

· Curry leaves – 1 sprig

· Hing – 2 pinches

Method:

· Wash the toor dal and pressure cook with little turmeric powder for 3 whistles.

· Now take a pan, keep it on low to medium flame, add coriander seeds, cumin seeds and fenugreek/ methi seeds, dry roast it. Once it starts turning aromatic add the black pepper and bydagi mirchi. Dry roast it. Turn off the flame once the chili turns crisp. Let it cool.

. Now take a mixer jar add grated coconut, roasted spices, soaked tamarind, turmeric powder and little water. Grind it to a fine paste.

· Take a cooking pot pour the grounded paste, add water to adjust the consistency. Add salt, let it boil. Now add the cooked toor dal and jaggery, bring it to a boil. Let it boil for 5-6 minutes. Turn off the flame.

· Now take a small tempering kadai with coconut oil/ ghee in it, add mustard seeds, broken dried red chillies, curry leaves and hing. Once the mustard seeds splutter, pour this tempering on the Thili Saaru. · Add the freshly chopped coriander leaves.

· Give it a good mix and cover it with a lid.

· Your Dharmastala Temple Style Thili Saaru is ready to be served with hot steamed rice.