Lemon rasam recipe | Lemon Dal Rasam | Elumichai rasam | Nimbu rasam | Nimbe hanina saaru

Lemon rasam recipe | Lemon dal rasam | Elumichai rasam | Nimbe hanina saaru

Lemon rasam recipe | Lemon dal rasam | Nimbu rasam recipe | Elumichai rasam | Nimbe Hannu/Hanina saaru | Kat Saru or kattu saaru with detailed step by step photos.

Lemon rasam is quite different from the usual rasam, as lemon is used instead of tamarind which makes the rasam as delicious as a mild thin digestible soup. It is quite easy and simple to prepare this tangy lemon rasam. It can be consumed as a soup or eaten with rice and goes well with side dishes like Potato fry, Carrot Beans Stir Fry, etc.

I have been learning some interesting and traditional recipes from my mother-in-law. When she said we will make lemon rasam for lunch, I was quite amazed as the lemon rasam was new to me and I have never heard or tasted it before. So, I immediately said okay!! Being a huge fan of citrus fruits, lemon is one of my favorites. I use olive oil with lemon dressing every day in my salad.

Lemon rasam is simple and easy to prepare. I was eagerly waiting to taste the hot and flavorful rasam. When I took the spoonful of lemon rasam with rice, Wah...the taste was so divine..!!! I loved the zesty flavor very much. 

Our entire house was filled with the fresh aroma of lemons. Now, the lemon rasam has become my favorite. As I liked it so much, I insisted my MIL prepare it for the second time in the same week. Also, we took some pictures to post it here in Pavi's Kitchen. I'm so glad that I came to know about this recipe through my Mil. Alright, now let's get into the recipe!

Recipe - Lemon Rasam Recipe | Lemon Dal Rasam | Nimbe Saaru

Serves - 4 to 5

Prep time - 5 | Cook time - 30 min

Cuisine - Indian

Region - Tamil Nadu

Diet - Vegetarian & Vegan

Course - Soup | Main 

Author - Pavithra 

Lemon Rasam Ingredients: 

Toor dal - 1/4 cup
Tomatoes - 2 
Cumin & pepper powder - 1 and 1/4 tsp
Water - As required. (I used one-liter water)
Green chilly - 4 
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Lemon - 3 nos 
Salt - As per taste
Curry leaves - 2 sprigs
Coriander leaves - 5 sprigs

For Seasoning:

Ghee / Oil -1 Tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp.
Cumin - 1/2 tsp
Asafoetida - A pinch

How to prepare lemon rasam(pre-prep):

1. Wash Toor dal and pressure cook for 15 mins. Once it is cooked, mash dal using the back of a ladle. (Note: Add a pinch of turmeric powder and a drop of oil whenever you cook Toor dal).

2. Take a blender jar, add one chopped tomato, and mashed toor dal. Grind it nicely until you get a smooth paste. (Note - Do not grind the hot mashed dal in a blender. Let it cool down and then grind).

How to prepare lemon rasam:

1. Take a thick-bottomed saucepan or Kadai. 

2. Pour one cup of water. 
3. Add turmeric powder, asafoetida
4. Finely chopped tomato, curry leaves, green chilies.
5. Add required salt
6. Now turn on the flame and Cover it with a lid.

7.  Cook until the tomatoes become soft. This takes around 10 minutes on a medium flame.

8. Once the tomatoes are cooked well, pour the dal and tomato paste into the same saucepan. Add the required amount of water to it. (Note: I used around 1 liter of water).

9. Now sprinkle Cumin & Pepper powder. Mix it well. (Note: Add more powder if you want the rasam to be extra spicy).

10. Let the rasam be on a medium flame.

11. Wait till the frothy rasam slowly rises to the brim of the pan. Now switch off the flame. (Note: Rasam should not be allowed to boil).

12. Now, take a small pan for seasoning. Pour ghee and temper mustard seeds, cumin seeds, asafoetida, and curry leaves.

13. Pour the seasoning over the rasam.

13. Finally pour a generous squeeze of lemon juice over the rasam. (Note: I used 3 lemons which are 4 tbsp approximately. Lemon juice is added only after switching off the flame, otherwise, the rasam will turn bitter).

14. Finally, garnish with cilantro / Coriander leaves. 

The tangy flavorful lemon rasam is ready to be served. 

Health benefits of Lemon:

1. Lemon contains a high amount of vitamin C,
2. It is good for skin
3. It helps in digestion

Check out my other South Indian rasam varieties: 

1. South Indian Paruppu Rasam Recipe

2. Karnataka Bele Saaru Recipe

3. Pineapple Rasam Recipe

South Indian side dish for Rasam:

1. Carrot Beans Stir Fry Recipe

2. Potato Fry Recipe

Try this lemon rasam recipe and let me know how it turns up. Thank you so much for visiting my space. Stay tuned to Pavi's Kitchen and have a great day!

Learn how to make Lemon Rasam Recipe | Lemon Dal Rasam | Nimbe Saaru with detailed step-by-step photos.