Tomato/ Pepper Rasam with Homemade Rasam Powder

Rasam is a frequently made dish in south India, especially Kerala  It is very easy to prepare and can be had like a soup or with rice. It is great drink that provides relief, when you are having cough or cold. Pepper by itself is an ayurvedic cure for cold. Add dal water to make it thicker and tastier. I have another even easier recipe for tomato rasam that uses readymade rasam powder. Rasam is served at onam sadyas and at kerala style wedding feasts. see my onam menu for other Kerala onam recipes.

Ingredients:

1.       Coconut oil – 2 tbsp

2.       Mustard seeds – 1 tsp

3.       Cumin seeds – 1 tsp

4.       Curry leaves – a few

5.       Dry red chilly -2

6.       Crushed Ginger – ½ inch piece

7.       Garlic – 3 cloves

Heat the coconut oil, add mustard. When it splutters, add remaining ingredients. Sauté for a minute.

8.       Chilli powder – 2 tsp

9.       Black Pepper – 1 tsp

10.   Red chilli powder

11.   Coriander powder – ½ tsp [optional]

12.   Fenugreek powder – ¼ tsp

13.   Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp

14.   Asafoetida – ¼ tsp

Add these powders and cook for a minute. Be careful not to burn the powders.

15.   Tomatoes -2, finely chopped

16.   Green chillies- 1, chopped

17.   Tamarind paste – 1 tsp

18.   Salt – to taste

19.   Water – 2 cups

Add these ingredients and bring to boil. Lower the fire and allow simmering. Cook for about 15 minutes. Add a generous amount of chopped coriander leaves and cook for two more minutes.

Grandma’s Secret Tips:

• Add dal water instead of plain water, for thicker and tastier rasam.
• Adjust water content to your preferred consistency.
• Use black pepper corns or freshly powdered black pepper.