Tomato Garlic Paruppu Rasam

       Rasam is  a south Indian spiced soup and is an important item in south Indian meals.  It has pepper , coriander seeds, chili, tamarind and essential spices that helps improve your digestion and also a very comforting dish, when taken during cold or stuffy nose. 

      Usually rasam is made using rasam powder. This time , I made a special rasam called dal rasam (paruppu rasam) which is made using spice powder prepared on that moment and added to the dish. This rasam will be more flavorful and tasty than regular rasam, because ,all the spices are dry roasted and freshly grounded to give a nice aroma and taste ! 

Preparation Time: 15 to 20 minutes

Serves - 2 to 3 people

INGREDIENTS:

FOR DRY ROAST AND GRIND:

coriander seeds - 1 teaspoon

cumin seeds - 1 teaspoon

Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 teaspoon

Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon

Dry red chilli - 3 no.s

Few curry leaves

OTHER INGREDIENTS:

Ghee - 1 tablespoon

Mustard seeds -1/2 teaspoon

Cumin seeds - 1/2 teaspoon

Curry leaves - few

Asafoetida powder - a pinch

Dry red chilli - 2 no.s 

Garlic cloves - 3 to 4 no.s

Tamarind extract - 1 cup

Turmeric powder - 1/2 teaspoon

Tomato - 1 medium size, chopped fine

Toor dal - 1/4 cup 

Coriander leaves - For garnishing

METHOD:

1. In a pressure cooker, cook 1/4 cup of toor dal and mash them well and add some water .

2. In a pan, add the items mentioned in the "dry roast and grind" section, dry roast until nice aroma comes. Allow them to cool down and grind them to a fine powder. This will be like a rasam powder.

3.  In a pan, add some ghee.  Add mustard, cumin seeds, dry red chilli , asafoetida powder. Also add some curry leaves, garlic cloves.

4. Now add the spice powder which you prepared in step 2 and sauté, till it turns aromatic. 

5. Now add 1 cup of tamarind extract water, chopped tomatoes, turmeric powder and salt. Cover with lid and let it boil for 10 minutes. 

6. Now, add mashed toor dal and required water to your desired consistency. When it starts to boil and turn frothy as shown in below picture, add chopped coriander leaves. Do not let the rasam  boil for too long after adding toor dal . Tomato garlic paruppu rasam is ready. Serve with hot rice and some curry ! 

Arisi Paruppu Saadham(Masala Dal Rice)

 Today I would like to share a famous recipe which is very popular in Coimbatore. Arisi paruppu saadham, a one pot dish made with rice, lentils and spices . I happened to know about this dish through my friend Pavithra, who is from Ooty. It was absolutely delicious and quite easy to make for lunch. 

INGREDIENTS:

Parboiled Rice - 1 cup

Toor Dal - 1/4 cup

Water  - 2 cups

Sesame or gingely oil - 3 tablespoon

Mustard seeds - 1/4 teaspoon

Cumin Seeds - 1/4 teaspoon

Curry Leaves - a bunch

Dry red chilli - 2 no.s

Onions - 1/2 cup finely chopped

Tomato - 2 medium sized chopped fine

Garlic - 3 to 4 pods

Salt - 1 teaspoon

Turmeric powder - 1/2 teaspoon

Sambar powder - 1 teaspoon

Ghee - 2 tablespoon

METHOD:

1. Soak parboiled rice and Toor dal for about 30 to 45 minutes.

2. Chop tomatoes, onion and garlic into fine pieces.

3.  In a pressure cooker ,add sesame or gingely oil.  Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves and dry red chilli . Now add garlic and fry till they change color.

4. Now add chopped onion and fry till they change colour. 

5. Now add chopped tomatoes . add turmeric powder, salt and sambar powder. For this recipe, store bought sambar powder tastes better. Fry, till the tomatoes turn soft and mushy.

6. Now add 2 cups of water . Also add soaked and drained  rice and toor dal . 

7. When it starts to boil, cover with lid. Cook for 3 whistles on medium flame. Switch off the stove. Let the pressure settle by itself. Arisi paruppu saadham is ready .

8. Serve with any dry curry of your choice !