Rasam

Rasam is a south indian soup usually made from Tomato, Tamarind juice and with pepper,cumin seeds and essential spices. It is very popular in southern part of India. Rasam is usually taken by mixing with rice . The spices in rasam helps in improving digestion and the pepper in rasam improves cold or any nasal congestion.

Serves: 2-3 people
Preparation Time - Under 10 minutes
Cooking Time - Under 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS:
Rasam powder - 2 teaspoon
Water- 1 cup
Tamarind - 1/2 lemon sized
Tomato - 1 medium sized
Salt - 1 teaspoon
Cumin seeds - 1 teaspoon
Mustard - 1 teaspoon
Pepper powder - 1/2 teaspoon
Oil - 1 teaspoon
Asafoetida powder -1/2 teaspoon
Coriander leaves - for garnishing.

METHOD:
1. Soak tamarind in hot water for about 10 minutes. Extract juice from tamarind and throw away the pulp. You need about 3/4 cup of juice. Take it in a bowl.

2. Now mix salt,rasam powder ,pepper powder and asafoetida powder in to the tamarind juice and also add 1 cup of water.

3. Cut tomatoes in big pieces and add it to the above mixture(Squeeze the tomatoes in hand little bit and add it to the mixture.. So that the tomato pulp gets mixed well with the rasam). In a pan, add 1 teaspoon of oil, add mustard seeds. Once it crackles add cumin seeds and sprinkle some asafoetida powder.

4. Now pour the rasam mixture in to the pan and cover the pan and cook for about 5 minutes.. Not more than that.. Else, the flavour may get lost due to  too much boiling. Switch off the gas stove.

5. Add some fresh chopped corriander leaves and sprinkle some more asafoetida powder. Rasam is ready !

6. Mix the rasam with rice and have chips as side dish and eat !!!.

NOTE: check my blog for how to make rasam powder