Iyengar-style Poricha saatruamadhu/Poritha rasam (dhal soup)

This is my childhood favourites that my Paati (Grandmother) used to make in her Iyachombhu (traditional pot). Saatruamadhu which literally translates to "nectar fit for rice" which btw was totally fit for this rasam when my grandmother made it! It is also very healthy and mild that little children can enjoy it too. This rasam is usually made for new mothers and little children since tamarind, which is usually the main ingredient in rasams, is believed to hinder iron absorption in the body and so unhealthy for them. Anjalie loves this rasam as well, although, she just calls it daal for some reason :) It can double as daal soup and will be a great as a starter. So here is the recipe...


You will need:
1/2 cup toor daal cooked and mashed
curry and coriander leaves for garnish
1/2 tsp oil
1/4 tsp brown mustard seeds
a pinch of asafoetida/hing
salt to taste

To roast and grind:
1 tsp oil
1 tsp urad daal
1/2 tsp channa daal
1 tsp black peppercorn (use less for milder version)
1-2 dried red chillies
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 tomatoes

Pineapple rasam

Rasam and Sambar are two lentil based gravy/soupy dishes that is usually served with rice. Along with the differences between the two dishes, as a general rule, ripe fruits are used in rasams while vegetables and unripe fruits are used in sambar. Like all rules, there are of course exceptions to this. Traditionally, there are both new and old variations in sambar and rasam. Pineapple rasam is one such newer variation of rasam.

You will need:
1/2 tsp tamarind paste + 1 cup water to make tamarind water
1 cup cooked & mashed toor daal
1/2 cup pineapple juice/water
2 rings of canned pineapples (or fresh pineapples) cut into bitse size pieces
1 pinch hing/asafoetida
4-5 curry leaves for garnish.
salt to taste
1/4 tsp turmeric powder



to roast and grind:
1 tsp toor daal
1/2 tsp coriander seeds
1/2 tsp black peppercorns
3-4 dried red chillies
1/2 tsp cumin seeds


for tempering (optional):
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp oil

Minestrone

This is a traditional Italian soup that is colourful and hence captures children's attention and looks appetising for them in particular when they are sick. After a week's break, in London visiting museums with Anjalie, we have come back but with flu :( Anjalie and Naz have been quite badly off for past 2 days. As the norm is that both parents are simply not allowed to be sick at the same time, I am trying to fight (although a losing battle) to postpone the inevitable. After making their favourite chicken-noodle soup, yesterday, I decided to make all our favourite Minestrone. To me a hot minestrone with thinly sliced and toasted rye-sourdough bread is like lying down on my mother's lap when I am sick. I replaced most of the vegetables with 2 cans of mixed vegetables (drained) to make a quick minestrone. But I will list my traditional ingredients for when you have time to try. Also I made mine with more stock than normal since it was for a sick child. You can adjust according to your taste. Here is the recipe:

You will need (all vegetables chopped to bite size pieces):
1 tbsp olive oil
1 med onion chopped
1 leek chopped
3 garlic cloves crushed
1 can chopped tomatoes in juice
1 carrot chopped
1 small turnip chopped
1 med potato chopped
1 stalk of celery chopped
3 cups water
4 cups vegetable stock
1 can cannellini beans drained and rinsed
1 cup leafy cabbage chopped
1 cup pasta of any shape (I used children sized penne)
salt and pepper to taste
freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
1 tsp oregano (fresh or dried for garnish)

Chicken/Tofu-Noodle soup (great for flu/cold)

Nothing comforts and makes us feel that everything is going to be fine soon like Chicken-Noodle soup. It is the universal go to food for those of us who get down with flu/cold. With the cold and flu running rampant in our house I decided to make this soup for both Naz & Anjalie and make a veggie option of Tofu-Noodle soup for myself (yes, I am still a veggie). We instantly felt great! The chicken-noodle soup has become synonymous with cold/flu treatment that there is a whole new scientific debate about whether it can cure cold. Read here.