How to make Rasam? (South Indian Soup)

I don't want to miss even the simplest South Indian recipe. So I added this recipe also ...

Ingredients:

• Tamarind-1 small lemon size
• Tomato -1 large size
• Coriander leaves(cut pieces)-3 tablespoons
• Cumin seeds (jeera)-1 teaspoon
• Black Pepper(milagu)-1 teaspoon
• Curry leaves-2 tablespoon
• Garlic-3,4
• Red Chilli-2
• Turmeric powder-1/4teaspoon
• Coriander powder-1/2 teaspoon
• Asafoetida- a pinch
• lemon juice (if desired)-4 or 5 drops
• Water-400-500 ml according to taste
• Oil -1/2 tablespoon for seasoning
• Salt

For seasoning:
Mustard,Cumin seeds, Fenugreek, Curry leaves.




Method:

• Soak the tamarind in hot water and take juice from it after sometime.
• Grind red chillies, Cumin seeds, Pepper, 1 spoon Curry leaves, 2 spoons of Coriander leaves, Garlic into coarse paste.(Don't make into fine paste)
• Crush the tomatoes in tamarind juice and add the coarse paste.
• (Don't use cut tomato pieces)
• Add turmeric powder, Coriander powder, water and required amount of salt to the mixture.
• Heat oil in a pan and add all the seasoning items one by one. (as said before in previous blogs) and Asafoetida powder.
  
• Finally add the rasam to the pan.
• When it starts to boil, just take it out of the flame.
• Do not allow it to boil for longer time, as it will alter the taste.
• Add few drops of lemon juice if desired and garnish with coriander leaves.
• Can be used as soup or along with plain rice.