Rasam/saaru/chaaru

Rasam or saaru is a south Indian soup,which is traditionally prepared using tamarind juice as a base,with the addition of tomatoes,and chili pepper,pepper,cumin and other spices as seasonings.It is eaten with rice or separately as soup.It is not only tasty but also soothing when suffering from cold or fever.

All you need

Ingredients

Water for boiling 2-3 cups
Chopped tomatoes 2-3
Chopped onions 1
Chopped ginger 1 tsp
Chopped curry leaves
Chopped green chillies(optional) 1-2
Chopped Coriander leaves
Chili pdr  1/2 tsp
Cumin pdr 1tsp
Coriander pdr 1tsp
Turmeric pdr 1 tsp
Hing 1/4 tsp or just a pinch
Tamarind paste 1/2tsp
Toohar Dal/lentil water 1/2 cup
sugar 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste

Ingredients for tadka

oil/Clarified butter/Desi ghee 2tbsp
Cumin seeds 1tsp
Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp
Fenugreek seeds 1/4tsp
Curry leaves
Red chili whole 1-2
Chili pdr 1/2 tsp
Turmeric pdr 1/2tsp
Urad Dal 1 tsp
salt

Recipe

1.Put water on stove. 2.Add all ingredients(tomatoes,onion,ginger,curry leaves,coriander and bring it to boil ,except tadka items.(After the first boil simmer the flame,& let it boil for At least 25-30 Min's,till you see tomatoes & onions are all properly cooked,& mixed up altogether in the soup) 3.Once you see that you re rasam is reduced to almost 80%,now is the time to prepare tadka,make a good tadka with ground masala and top it on rasam and simmer. 4.Once again let it boil for 10-15 Min's.(remember its all how long,& how well you cook your rasam that gives that authentic rasam flavour) Your rasam is ready.serve hot.