#5 : Chaaru ~ Rasam

"Chaaru" / Rasam  is a tangy tomato soup made with Indian spices . It is eaten warm with mashed up rice . With a hint of pepper , cumin seeds and cilantro ,this divine liquid is sure to transport you to an other world :-)Defiantly , a comfort food for me . I have a zillion memories of scooping out spoon fulls of chaaru. Did I say ,my grandmother was a wonderful cook .

Ingredients:

• 2 Big tomatoes  (chopped)
• 1 Green Chilli  (slit into half )
• 2 Tsp Rasam Powder
• 1 lime size Tamarind  ( juice extracted )
• Handful  Cilantro (finely chopped)
• 4 cups water
• Salt to taste

 For Tempering :

• 1 tsp Ghee
• 1/2 tsp - Mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp - Cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp - Black peppercorns
• 2 Dried Red Chillies
• 1/8 tsp - Asafoetida
• 3-4 Curry Leaves

Method:

1. Puree the chopped tomatoes and the green chill to a smooth paste without adding water
2. Add the ground tomato mixture , rasam powder , tamrind extract , salt and water to a saucepan and bring to a boil . Simmer on a medium flame for 15-20 mins 
3. Tempering-Heat oil in a skillet , add the mustard seeds , let them splutter . To it add the cumin seeds , pepper corns , red chillies , asafoetida and curry leaves fry for a minute. Add it to the tomato rasam mixture 
4. Let the Chaaru boil for a minute 
5. Garnish with the chopped cilantro
6. Serve with hot rice