I bet you cannot find a better option than Moong dal rasam when it comes to a quick and healthy recipe, especially if you are not feeling 100%. Not only is the Hesaru bele Saaru rich in protein, but it also packs in the power of ginger to take care of the ill effects from the common cold.
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If you are out of production, this will be the best, easy and healthy choice. All you need is toor dal or moong dal and a few other common ingredients. Both the dal choices are equally tasty and healthy. The best part is that you do not need any curry powder for this recipe! It goes well with rice or even as a soup!
The secret behind the taste is from turmeric, coconut milk, ginger, and the dal. Hesaru bele saaru is one of the little known comfort food in Karnataka.
The flavor from coconut milk, ginger gives this recipe a dense soupy texture. They also add a rich slow-cooked depth of flavor.
You can adjust the spiciness to your taste by adding fewer green chilies but skipping any other ingredient would not do justice to the dish.
I used to make this dish almost every day, accompanied by sauteed veggies and some home made chips or mango pickle.
How to make this recipe

- Place a medium-size vessel with 2 cups water and washed Moong dal over medium heat. Place a cover on top and check back in 10 minutes.
- When the dal appears cooked (squishy or mashable), add turmeric powder, ginger, green chilies, and add 2 more cups of water. Place a cover and let it boil on medium heat.
- When it starts to boil, add salt and coconut milk and turn off the heat.
- Add chopped cilantro and squeeze a little lemon juice on top.
- Finally, prepare the seasoning: Place the pan over medium heat with a teaspoon of coconut oil. As the oil starts to heat up, add cumin seeds, black gram, and red chilies. When the spices start to roast, add curry leaves and switch off the heat.
- Now add this seasoning to moong dal rasam.

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📖 Recipe

Hesaru Bele Saaru
Process Shot
Check above for step-by-step pictures (most of my recipes include pictures)
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup split yellow lentils or moong dal
- 4 cup water
- ¼ cup coconut milk
- Salt
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 2-3 green chilies
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 1-2 red chilies
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Place a medium size vessel with 2 cups water and washed Moong dal over medium heat. Place a cover on top and check back in 10 minutes.
- When the dal appears cooked (squishy or mashable), add turmeric powder, ginger, green chilies, and add 2 more cups of water. Place a cover and let it boil on medium heat.
- When it starts to boil, add salt and coconut milk and turn off heat.
- Add chopped cilantro and squeeze a little lemon juice on top.
- Finally, prepare the seasoning: Place the pan over medium heat with a teaspoon of coconut oil. As the oil starts to heat up, add cumin seeds, black gram, and red chilies. When the spices start to roast, add curry leaves and switch off the heat.
- Now add this seasoning to moong dal rasam
YOUR OWN NOTES
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.

Gin says
This sounds lovely! I love the heat it packs too - that's a lot of chilies in my kitchen! 😀
Uma Raghupathi says
The ginger and chilies also adds nice flavor to this dish:) Thank you Gin!
Hauke Fox says
Woaahh, and it's not even difficult to make. I should try out a month of Indian cooking and make all those delish recipes that have been lining up for ages!
Uma Raghupathi says
Yes you should do Hauke 🙂
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
what an interesting rasam!
Uma Raghupathi says
Yes it is:)
Manju | Cooking Curries says
So intriguing. Never had a rasam with coconut milk. Ive gotta try it sometime 🙂
Uma Raghupathi says
Thank you Manju:) adding coconut milk makes this rasam very special !
Kelly Page (@TastingPage) says
I love the coconut milk - ginger combo. It sounds super refreshing!
Uma Raghupathi says
Thank you Kelly! Yes my favorite combo too:)
Jenn says
I love split pea soup and this variation looks wonderful. Beautiful color too!
Uma Raghupathi says
Thanks Jen!
Strength and Sunshine says
What a bright color!
Uma Raghupathi says
Yes 🙂
Aimée / Wallflower Girl says
These flavours sound so delicious 🙂
melmcdonald2 says
What lovely flavours! Sounds amazing :O)
Uma Raghupathi says
Thank you!
Christine - Jar Of Lemons says
I love the bright color! I've never had Rasam, but excited to try it out!
Uma Raghupathi says
Thank you Christine:)
rebecca says
Love that this lentil dish is made with ingredients I would have in my kitchen already. Definitely making this soon. Pinned to try it.
Uma Raghupathi says
Thank you Rebecca:)
kage2015 says
This is totally new for me and very interesting recipe.
Emily Rampton says
This looks like a unique and delicious recipes! I love lentils and look forward to trying!