It has been a long time since I updated my blog. I have been a bit busy with some other creative work ,which I wish to share in my next post. Today's recipe is of Basella Alba.. popularly known as Basale in Kannada.
Basale soppu is popularly known as the Malabar Spinach in English. Basale , Bacchali, Pui shak,
As every other leafy vegetable, this is high in Vitamin A, C , iron and calcium. Low in calories and High in protien per calorie. 
This Saaru is a speciality of Malanad, mangalore region of Karnataka. I had tasted this a long time at my friends place. Got the recipe today and this is my lunch with hot rice ,piping hot saaru on a rainy day ... its bliss!!!!
Basale Saaru:
A fairly thick gravy dish, this saaru goes very well with rice or even rotis if you like to eat. This is a typical accompaniment for rice kadubu.
Ingredients
Tuvar/bengal gram dal – 1 and a 1/2 cup
Tomato - one ,chopped in 4
Basale soppu – wash, chop to three cups
Turmeric - 1 tsp
Onion sliced - one, chopped in 4
Salt to taste
Grind Together for masala.
Jeera – 1 tsp
Daniya – 1 and ½ tsp
Grated coconut – 1 cup
Onion – one chopped fine
Red chilli powder - 2 tsp /(to taste)
Garlic pods - to taste/( 4)/can avoid too..
Seasoning
Coconut Oil, Mustard seeds, Asafoetida and curry leaves
Method
Pressure cook the Dal ingredients.
Slightly saute Jeera, dhaniya, red chilli power , coconut and onion. Let it cool and grind together.
Add the masala to the boiled dal mixture and bring it to a boil
Add salt to
Seasoning
Heat Coconut oil ( for the typical taste/ you can use the usual sunflower oil too), when it is hot add mustard seeds, once it splutters add asafoetida and curry leaves...
Enjoy the hot saaru with rice or roti ...
