This tiny seed called "Horse Gram" is a natural powerhouse and also the main ingredient for the recipe I am sharing today..."Horse Gram Rasam" or "Hurali Saaru".
It is a simple and nutritious option prepared with spices, and coconuts, and tempered with sauteed garlic.
Horse Gram is one of the lesser-known pulses in India, but the health benefits from them are just amazing. It is jam-packed with high iron and protein content.
Now that it is gaining popularity as a weight-loss diet, it is more commonly available in most grocery stores. There are several local Indian dishes that you can prepare with "Horse Gram" or "Hurali" as it is called in my hometown.
Today I am sharing the most common "Hurali saaru" prepared with the Instant Pot.
If you have never used Instant Pot for this kind of dish, you are in for a treat to see how easy it is. There is no compromise in taste or texture.
With a healthy serving of protein and being naturally fat-free, this will be a dish you will enjoy in every aspect.
You can customize the spice and consistency the way you prefer. The traditional method of preparing this recipe does not involve adding garlic, but adding sauteed garlic has become a new alternative. Garlic seems to bring out the nutty taste from the horse gram along with its flavor.
What Hurali or Kollu?
Being a part of the legume family, Horse Gram is rich in fiber and proteins.
It is beneficial for patients with ulcers, and diarrhea. It has been a big part of ayurvedic diets to treat patients with respiratory issues, including Asthma and Bronchitis.
Of late, Horse Gram is gaining popularity as an option for weight-loss diets. With so many benefits, there is no reason why you shouldn't try this recipe today...
How to cook horse gram in the instant pot
Traditional methods of cooking Horse Gram involve soaking them in water for 2-5 hours and boiling them to a soft consistency.
It gets simpler with a non-electric pressure cooker by cutting the cooking time in half. You will still need to soak the pulses and cook for about five whistles.
With the Instant Pot or an electric pressure cooker, it is furthermore easier. You only need a couple of hours of soaking and 15 minutes of cooking time under pressure to get them cooked to a soft and tender texture.
How to make this
Preparing the rasam is a three-step process: Tenderize the Horse gram, Prepare the spice masala, and blend the horse gram with other ingredients.
Since there is a little bit of prep work ahead, plan this at least 2-3 hours in advance and soak the horse gram in warm water.
With the Instant pot, you start by adding 2 cups of water to the inner pot and the soaked horse gram in a small pot with ¾ cup of water. Place this pot inside the inner pot.
Cook for 15 min under high pressure. Let the pressure release naturally while you prepare the spices, as shown in the details.
After the pressure is released naturally, blend the cooked horse gram with coconut.
Storage
Kollu Rasam is best served with steamed rice with a side of sauteed vegetables, Chips, or papad.
The rasam has a decent shelf life too. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days without compromising on taste.
My family enjoyed every bit of this recipe, and I hope your family will enjoy this too. If this recipe interests you, please rate and comment below.
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📖 Recipe
Horse gram Rasam (Kollu)
Process Shot
Check above for step-by-step pictures (most of my recipes include pictures)
Ingredients
- ¼ cup horse gram
- 1 green chili
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper powder - optional
- 2 tablespoon jaggery
- 2 tablespoon grated coconut
- 1 teaspoon tamarind paste
- 1 strand curry leaves
Spices for grounded masala
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- 6 fenugreek seeds
- 2 red chilies
- 2 teaspoon cooking oil
For tempering or seasoning
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- ½ teaspoon urad dal
- 2 teaspoon cooking oil
- 2 garlic chopped - optional
- Pinch of Asafoetida
Instructions
- Cook the horse gram: Soak the horse gram in warm water for 2 hours. Add 2 cups of water to the inner pot and put the soaked horse gram in a small pot with ¾ cup water.¼ cup horse gram
- Place this pot inside the inner pot and cook for 15 min in high pressure.
- Open the lid after pressure is released naturally.
- Preparing the spice masala: Place a pan over medium heat add 2 teaspoon of oil when oil heats up, add all the dry spices listed for masala and roast them evenly.1 teaspoon coriander seeds, ½ teaspoon cumin seeds, 6 fenugreek seeds, 2 red chilies, 2 teaspoon cooking oil
- Once you get a nice aroma, remove from the heat and let it cool.
- Blend the masala to a fine powder consistency with a coffee grinder or blender.
- Blend the horse gram: When the horse gram (a.k.a kollu) appears cooked, blend them with coconut, along with cooked horse gram broth and bring it to a smooth consistency.2 tablespoon grated coconut
- Prepare Horse gram rasam: Mix the 'kollu' paste and 2 cups of water into a medium-sized cooking vessel. Cook on medium heat and add the prepared spice powder, turmeric, black pepper, 1 green chili sliced, tamarind paste, salt, and jaggery. Bring in to boil.1 green chili, ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder, ¼ teaspoon black pepper powder, 1 teaspoon tamarind paste, 2 tablespoon jaggery
- Prepare to temper: Place a pan over medium heat with 2 tablespoons of oil and saute the mustard seeds, urad dal, and 1 red chili. When seeds start to sizzle, add curry leaves and asafoetida powder and turn the heat off.1 strand curry leaves, 1 teaspoon mustard seeds, ½ teaspoon urad dal, Pinch of Asafoetida
- If you prefer garlic in your dish, saute them after you prepare the tempering and add to the dish.2 garlic chopped
Notes
- If you are using a non-electric pressure cooker, make sure you soak horse gram for about 5 hours and cook it under pressure for up to 5 whistles.
- You can add more water if you prefer a thinner consistency. I added 3 cups of water in total.
YOUR OWN NOTES
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
Lathiya says
I love kollu rasam but never made this way. This sounds interesting. WIll try your way of kollu rasam.
Uma Raghupathi says
Hope you will try this soon! Thank you Lathiya.
Jolly says
Rasam looks so flavorful and healthy. Recently I got to know about this healthy horsegram, so I have list of recipes to try it. Yours recipe will added into list. Thanks for sharing!
Jagruti's Cooking Odyssey says
I have heard and seen horse gram, but never dared to buy a packet. Rasam sounds great, packed with flavours and textures.
Sasmita says
Rasam using horse gram looks much flavorful ! definitely protein rich and delicious share. I love to have simply as it is or with some steamed rice and papad 🙂
Jayashree T.Rao says
Back home, my mother used to prepare and it bring back wonderful memories. I have never tried cooking this, must try sometime.
Sapana says
Rasam looks very tempting, I have only tried the basic tomato rasam. I need to explore more recipes.
Uma Raghupathi says
Thank you 😊 yes there are many delicious Rasam recipes to explore:)
Padma Veeranki says
Such a delicious and healthy rasam. We call it ulavacharu in andhra and it's such a favourite at home...Yours sounds so flavourful and delicious!!
Priya Srinivasan says
Delicioys rasam! Love it totally, the earthiness of the horsegram and the warmth of the spices makes it one delicious rasam!!! Steaming hot rice and hot rasam, bliss on plate!!!
Sandhya Nadkarni says
I love this saaru. So flavorful and so good for health too! Great share Uma! I usually make a horse gram flour 'pithala' Konkani style.Will try this for sure.
Uma Raghupathi says
Hope you will try this soon Sandhya!
Mayuri Patel says
A protein rich rasam, so flavorful and delicious. I've got some horse gram, will definitely try making rasam with it. My hubby enjoys rasam with rice while I prefer to sip on it.
Lata Lala says
Horse gram rasam looks so delicious Uma. I love making variety of rasams and this one tips the list. Going to try this recipe soon.
Uma Raghupathi says
Thank you 😊
Shailender Sharma says
Heard a lot about horse gram but never got the chance to know any recipe with it. Thank you sharing a delightful recipe . Too good
Pavani says
That is a delicious and nutritious rasam. I've made rasam that uses powder made with horse gram. Will try your version made with horsegram - rasam looks flavorful and inviting.
Uma Raghupathi says
Thank you Pavani:)
Kay says
First time I have heard of horse gram, i will see if I can find it in the UK?