Pepper Rasam

Pepper rasam is the best combination of the right amounts of sourness, spice and aroma. This is one of those comforting dishes which my mom used to make for us specially when we had a slight cold, sore throat or fever. However, this is one of those dishes that is very easy to prepare and can be had regularly. 

Ingredients:

Pepper Powder - 1/2 tsp

Garlic - 3 pods

Cumin Seeds - 1/2 tsp

Coriander Powder - 1 tsp

Tamarind - a large lemon sized ball

Sugar/Jaggery - 1/2 tsp

Salt - As per taste

For the Tempering:

Oil - 11/2 tbsp

Mustard Seeds - 1/2 tsp

Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp

Curry Leaves - 6

Dry Red Chillies - 3, broken into pieces

Method of Preparation:

1. Soak the tamarind in warm water for 30 minutes and extract the pulp.

2. Using a pestle, crush cumin seeds in a mortar, add coriander powder, pepper powder, salt and garlic pods. Crush them too. (If you do not have a mortar and pestle, place the ingredients on a chopping board and crush them using a rolling pin)

3. Heat oil in a vessel and add the cumin seeds, mustard seeds and curry leaves. Once the seeds start spluttering, add the crushed pepper garlic mixture on low to medium heat and mix well for 30 seconds.

4. Add the tamarind pulp, water(to dilute the tamarind pulp), sugar/jaggery and mix well.

5. Adjust the salt and let the rasam boil on medium heat for 5-8 minutes.

6. Enjoy the pepper rasam with steaming hot rice.