Preparation Keep all the ingredients ready. Soak tamarind in a cup of warm water, extract its juice and throw the pulp. (You can either extract tamarind pulp or you can even add the tamarind as such in water for this rasam alone) Grind jeera, pepper and garlic for a few seconds in a mixie or you can just crush it. (do not grind finely) Method Take a cup of tamarind extract, add chopped tomatoes, sambar powder, turmeric powder, crushed pepper + cumin + garlic mix, salt needed and curry leaves.

Once it starts boiling, keep the flame on low and let is simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the raw smell of the tamarind goes. By this time, the rasam would have reduced a little.

Now add 1 3/4 cup of water, boil on medium flames until froth starts forming at the top. (see picture below) Once froth starts forming on the top, switch off the gas.(do not boil the rasam as it will not taste good).Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves. Heat a tsp of ghee, add mustard seeds, when it splutters, add red chilli, curry leaves and pour it over the rasam.

Serve hot with steamed rice and any vegetable curry or kootu of your choice. Enjoy! Note - this measurement gives you 2 3/4 cups of rasam which can serve 2-3 persons.