ಲಿಂಬೆ ಹಣ್ಣು ಕಾಯಿರಸ / Whole lemon Side dish

Best part about visiting relatives is the opportunity to taste variety of food. I cherish this aspect along with sharing good times by talking to them. Lemon Kayirasa prepared using whole lemon (including skin) is one such recipe i tasted at my Doddamma, Vimala Shekar's house recently and really loved it. Kayirasa is the name we call in Malenadu region of Karnataka, where as it is called as Menaskayi in South Canara and Gojju in Bengaluru. Sharing the same for you to try.

Ingredients

Fresh lemon - 4
Dry Coconut - 1/4 medium sized 

Bengal gram dal - 2 spoons
Urad dal - 2 spoons
Sesame seeds - 2 spoons
Red chillies - 6 to 8 (mix spicy and non spicy)
Tamarind - 1/4 of small lemon sized
Jaggery powder - 5-6 spoons 
Salt to taste

For Seasoning
Oil - 3 spoons
Bengal gram dal - 1 spoon
Mustard seeds - 1 spoon
Turmeric powder - 1 pinch

Method
Wash and cut the lemon into half and divide further so as to remove seeds and inner most rigid line. Cut it further into small pieces as shown in the photo. Remove 70 percent of the juice (you can use it for other dishes or for juice). 

For masala, roast Bengal gram, Urad dal, sesame seeds, red chillies along with a spoon of oil. Allow it to cool down. Grind this masala along with grated dry coconut and tamarind juice.

Heat a thick bottomed Kadai. Add oil, bengal gram dal and mustard seeds, turmeric powder. When mustard seed starts spattering add chopped lemon and mix well. Now add a cup of water and cook for about 10 minutes.

Now add ground masala, salt and Jaggery and cook for about 10 minutes. This can be served with rice / chapati. 

Note 1:- This dish is slightly bitter in taste.
Note 2:- If you are short of time to cook, instead of Masala, you can just add rasam powder and cook the dish.