The word ‘Rasam’ literally means ‘juice’. Rasam is a watery, hot, and sour soup that is a common preparation in South India and is usually consumed with hot white rice. Did you know that Mulligatawny soup is a variation of Rasam? The word Mulligatawny comes from the Tamil word ‘Milagu-t-tannir’ (மிளகுத் தண்ணீர்) meaning pepper water (‘milagu’ – black pepper and ‘tannir’ – water) (Source: Wikipedia). There are several kinds of rasam based on the ingredients and there are regional variations too. I am posting the recipe for Tomato Rasam here that I learned from my mom. Mom gave us tomato rasam when we had cold and/or fever since the ingredients help with recovery.
Tomato Rasam
Ingredients:
Turmeric powder1/2 tsp-
| Ripe tomatoes | 3 | Blanched, and skin peeled |
| Black pepper corns | 1 tsp | – |
| Garlic pods | 2-3 | – |
| Cumin seeds | 1 tsp | – |
| Green chilli | 1 | – |
| Cooking oil | 1 tbsp | – |
| Black mustard seeds | 1/2 tsp | – |
| Dried red chilli | 1 | Broken into halves |
| Curry leaves | 5 leaves | whole leaves |
| Rasam powder (optional) | 1 tsp | You must be able to find this in your local Indian grocery store for $3 or so |
| Cilantro | 1 tbsp | Finely chopped |
Procedure:
- Puree the blanched tomatoes along with the pepper corns, garlic pods, cumin seeds, and green chilli into a smooth paste.
- Heat a deep sauce pan in medium-high flame and add the oil. Once the oil is hot add the mustard seeds. Fry for a minute till the mustard seeds start popping. Now add the broken red chillies and the curry leaves and let it fry for a few seconds. Do not let the chilli burn.
- Now add the pureed paste, turmeric powder, rasam powder, and 3 cups of water. Add salt to taste.
- Once it comes to a boil, reduce the flame to low and let it simmer for 2 minutes.
- Put off flame, add the chopped cilantro, cover the sauce pan with a lid, and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- You can add more black pepper if you want your rasam to be spicy. Serve rasam with hot rice or as soup in a cup.
Benefits:
- Tomatoes are rich in Vitamin C and help with your immune system.
- Garlic helps fight cold and flu symptoms and boosts immune system as well.
- Black pepper helps clear sinus blocks and soothes sore throat.
- Turmeric helps with coughs and aids better sleep. You won’t feel drowsy or drugged though.
- Capsaicin found in the chillies stimulates blood flow through the membranes and causes mucus secretions to become thinner and more liquid helping with blocked nose.
- Cumin helps promote easy digestion.
Gopi's Kitchen 