AvarekaaLu saagu/ Hyacinth beans saagu

Growing up my mother never made anything from avarekaaLu. Probably that’s why I always liked eating anything made with avarekaaLu. AvarekaaLu mixture is my all time favorite. One day I’ll learn how to make it! 

This versatile saagu makes for a healthy side dish for dose, chapathi, poori or rice. I used dry avarekaaLu and soaked it overnight. You can also use frozen or even fresh, if available. Healthy, tasty and easy. 

Do try! 

AvarekaaLu Saaru/Surti Lilva Rasam

What is better than your Brother-in-law visiting? - having a BIL who loves to cook! what is better than having a BIL who loves to cook? - a BIL who drags your husband into the kitchen for helping and gives you a day off.. :)

My BIL, Praveen, is a wonderful cook and is an avid learner of South Canara cooking. He follows recipes authentically and what’s more, gives exact proportions of the ingredients; unlike my mother whose proportions are always half palmful, quarter palmful, small tamarind ball, one closed fist.... which I never get right most of the time :)

He cooked avareKaalu Saaru when he visited us last winter. It was so mouthwateringly delicious. And it so happened that, that day god blessed us with perfect weather - rainy and cloudy - to savor this rasam!

This spicy, garlicky rasam is a treat for any day.