Poondu Milagu Rasam / Spicy Pepper Garlic Soup

Rasam is an important dish in South India prepared using tamarind as a base with addition of tomato and other spices. There are so many varieties of rasam. This Garlic Pepper Rasam is the one which I make regularly without addition of dal. This can prepared in 10 to 15 minutes and here is the recipe.

Time of Preparation : 15 minutes
Spice level : 4
No of Servings : 4

Ingredients :

• Tamarind – lemon size
• Tomato – 1/2
• Salt – 1 1/2 tsp (according to taste)
• Turmeric Powder – 1/2 tsp
• Red Chilly – 1
• Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp
• Curry leaves – a few
• Asafoetida – 1/4 tsp
• Oil – 1 tsp
• Coriander leaves – 1 tbsp

To Grind:

• Pepper – 1 1/2 tsp
• Cumin Seeds – 2 1/2 tsp
• Garlic – 5 to 6 cloves
• Red Chilly – 1

Method of Preparation:

1. Soak the tamarind in warm water and extract tamarind juice of 4 cups.
2. Crush the tomato with hand slightly andd to the extract.
3. Add turmeric powder and salt.
4. Grind the pepper, cumin seeds and red chilly and finally add the garlic and pulse it.
5. Garlic should be crushed nicely but it should not become a paste.
6. Add this to the tamarind mixture.
7. Now heat oil in a vessel and add the mustard seeds followed by the asafoetida, curry leaves and red chilly.
8. Add the tamarind mixture and heat it.
9. Turn off the heat before just before the first bubble comes and garnish with coriander leaves.
10. Serve hot with white rice and Potato fry or any dry curry.