Makar Sankranti or Pongal falls on 14th of this month. It is a harvest festival and known by different names in different parts of India.This festival is dedicated to Lord Surya or the Sun God.It marks the first day of the sun’s transit into Makara rashi (Capricorn), marking the end of the month with the winter solstice . One of the dish I make on Sankranti is Kadle Bele Kosambari / Lentil Salad.
Sankranti Celebrations in Karnataka:
In Karnataka Sankranti celebrations start by decorating the house, Drawing Rangoli ,making sweets with rice and jaggery or sesame and jaggery and offering it to the Sun God. We exchange Ellu Bella / Sesame Jaggery mixture platter with family and friends.We celebrate over a period of four days.There is a saying in Kannada “ellu bella thindu olle maathadi” that translates to ‘eat the mixture of sesame seeds and jaggery and speak only good.
What is Kosambari?
Kosambari is a typical South Indian Salad and is made during all festivals. It is one of the traditional dish prepared on every festive or auspicious occasion. There are many types of Kosambari. It can be made using Moong dal or channa dal or green gram.There are many variations these days.
What is the theme for Foodiemonday BlogHop?
Our 280th Theme is decided Unanimously. My Humble contribution for 280th Theme #SankrantiSpecial is this super yummy Kadle Bele Kosambari / Lentil Salad. Do check this space for delicious recipes for sankranti.
Ingredients for Kadle Bele Kosambari / Lentil Salad:
Channa dal / Kadle Bele: Channa dal Kosambari is so filling and nutritious. Soak it for 3 hours.
Fresh Grated Coconut: Freshly grated Coconut adds nice flavor and freshness to the kosambari.
Tender Cucumber: I love to use tender cucumber as there are no /less seeds. Chop it in small thin pieces.
Green Chilli: Imparts some spice kick to the dish.
DryRed Chilli: It is completely optional but I love to use dry red chilli for the Tadka.
Urad dal: I like to use urad dal for the tadka. I like the crunch in the kosambari.
Mustard seeds: I use mustard seeds for the tadka.
Ellu / Sesame: I add sesame seeds in the tadka,It imparts a nice flavor and crunch to the dish.
Asafoetida: Add in the Tadka for the aroma.
Curry Leaves: I like crisp Curry leaves when added to the Kosambari.
Fresh Coriander: Adds a nice flavor to the dish.
Cashews: Roasted cashews gives a royal and rich touch to the dish. You should not skip it.
Lemon Juice: Adds some tanginess to the dish
Recipe for Kadle Bele Kosambari / Lentil Salad
Author: Preethi Prasad
Prep Time : 10 Mins
Soaking Time : 3 Hours
Total Time (Including Soaking) : 3 Hrs 10 mins
Course : Salad
Cuisine :Â SouthIndian
Ingredients for Kadle Bele Kosambari / Lentil Salad
1.5 Cup Channa Dal
3/4 th Cup Freshly Grated Coconut
1 Green Chilli
3/4th Tsp Mustard seeds
1 Tsp Sesame Seeds
6 Cashews
1 Dry Red Chilli
Salt to Taste
1 Tender Cucumber
Generous Pinch of Asafoetida
Few Curry Leaves
1 Tbsp Finely Chopped fresh Coriander
1.5 Tsp Oil for Tadka
Juice of half Lemon
Method:
Soak Channa dal for 3 hours and then drain the water completely.
In a wide bottom bowl add Soaked channa dal , freshly grated coconut, chopped Cucumber , green chilli, and fresh coriander .Keep it aside.
Heat a small pan . Add oil .Once it is hot add urad dal and cahews. Once they turn slightly golden add sesame seeds, red chilli, mustard seeds , curry leaves and asafoetida.
Turn off the heat once the mustard and sesame seeds starts to splutter.
Garnish this Tadka on the channa dal mix.
Add salt and lemon juice and mix well.
Serve as a snack , salad or in the festive lunch platter .
Enjoy this healthy and nutritious dish.
Notes:
You can use soaked moong dal and carrots or cucumber or beets too.
I have used a 160 ml Cup.
Adding cashews is completely Optional.Give a rich texture and taste to the dish. I would suggest not to skip it.
Wow Preethi loved this healthy nutritious and tempering salad. I would love to try it with moong dal too and enjoy as snack. Adding tadka will definitely give a great flavor and taste.
I absolutely love this kosambari, and tend to make it for most festive occasions. It’s nutritious and filling, delicious and easy to make. Lovely presentation and beautiful description!
Kosambri is very refreshing and filling at the same time . I love to simply eat a bowl of this lipsmacking salad ..adding cashews is so innovative..definitely will add up to the crunch
Such a healthy and filling salad Preethi. Kadle Bele Kosambari with all those flavours from the tempering and coconut its a must try recipe.
Wow Preethi loved this healthy nutritious and tempering salad. I would love to try it with moong dal too and enjoy as snack. Adding tadka will definitely give a great flavor and taste.
I absolutely love this kosambari, and tend to make it for most festive occasions. It’s nutritious and filling, delicious and easy to make. Lovely presentation and beautiful description!
Delicious and light Koshambri salad.. I am sure tadka with coconut, chilies must be adding so much flavour to this simple and so nutritious salad.
Such a nutritious and flavorful this Kosambari sounds ! I do not need any reason to enjoy such lentil salads .
Kosambri is very refreshing and filling at the same time . I love to simply eat a bowl of this lipsmacking salad ..adding cashews is so innovative..definitely will add up to the crunch
Kosambari is my fav recipe from my childhood. Loved your kosambari using chana dal, adding cashews and sesame seeds gives good taste.
Love this salad, it tastes so delicious. But these days, it is usually moong dal kisambri with some bengal gram in it.
So healthy and nutritious salad with chana dal, cucumber, and coconut. I am sure tempering will elevate the flavors of this dish.
This is a nutritious and flavorful kosambari !!
Love that tempering on top, such a lip-smacking salad bowl