How to Make Rasam

Do you love Indian food? Have you ever wanted to make Rasam? Here is your chance. Just follow this recipe for a Karnataka style Rasam (Saaru).

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1/4 cup toor dal
• 1 16-oz. can or 4 large tomatoes
• 2 tbs. tamarind extract
• 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp. chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp. hing powder
• 1 tbs. grated coconut
• 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp. coriander seed powder
• About 10 curry leaves (a bunch)
• Salt to taste

How to Make a Simple Rasam

1. Pressure cook the toor dal well with plenty of water.

2. Boil the tomatoes, then add the cooked toor dal, salt, chili powder, turmeric powder and tamarind extract. Allow to simmer for a few minutes.

3. Blend the grated coconut with coriander seed powder (and any other spice as required), add the hing powder and simmer for a few minutes (so that the coconut is cooked properly).

4. Heat a little oil in a fry pan and pop the mustard seeds and optionally cumin seeds.

5. Add the curry leaves, after removing from the heat source, and add these to the Rasam (Saaru).

6. Garnish with the coriander leaves.

Tips & Warnings

• This is only one of many varieties of Rasam. Other variations include the addition of lentils, sugar (or jaggery), lemon juice and a pinch of asafoetida powder.

Resources

• More info on Rasam