Simple Tomato Rasam from Amma

Ingredients:

Tomatoes                            3

Turmeric powder                        1/8 tsp

Rasam Powder                  1 tsp

Asafetida                             1/8 tsp

Cumin                                   ½ tsp

Salt                                        to taste (I usually add ¼ tsp first. In the end depending on the taste, I add more)

Green chilies                      2

Cilantro                                few leaves

Seasoning:

Ghee                          1 tbsp

Cumin                        ½ tsp

Mustard seeds       ½ tsp

Method:

·      Slice the tomatoes and chilies into big pieces; add water (say until the tomatoes are fully covered in water), turmeric, salt, cumin, coriander, green chilies and boil.

·      Once the tomatoes soften, mash them with the back of a ladle.

·      Add rasam powder.

·      Continue boiling the rasam until you can see that the level of rasam in the vessel has decreased a little.   Rasam is done!

·      For seasoning, heat ghee and add mustard seed.

·        After the mustard seeds crackle, add cumin.

·      Fry for a few seconds until you can smell cumin.

·      Add to the rasam.

This rasam uses cumin both while cooking and seasoning.