Rasam is a kind of soup that originally belongs to south Indian cuisine is included regularly in all south Indian homes.
Being born in an North Indian home, South Indian dishes were not so regular in my home, but when my mother used to make them twice a month it was a celebration time for both of us. Me and my sister are both a big time south Indian food lovers.
After marriage I was so delighted to find that my husband is also a hard core south Indian food lover. When we were in Delhi, we regularly used to visit Sarvana Bhawan and Sagar Ratna to devour south Indian food. My interest in cooking and trying south Indian food increased, when I discovered that both my sons are fans of south Indian food too. My sons can eat Idlis, dosas and Masala Vadas twice or thrice a week. Here in United states, I have lots of friends from South India…lucky me..I often get a chance to taste the traditional south Indian food made by them …which is I must tell you is out of the world. Not only it is tasty, but indeed so healthy.
I will keep trying and posting different recipes from this awesome cuisine, but today I have come up with a simple recipe called MINT PEPPER RASAM.
It is made up of a little bit of tamarind juice and spice powders boiled in water. It is consumed by mixing it in plain cooked rice during meals. Drink a glass of Rasam daily and keep your digestion system Fit and Healthy. Good for babies being introduced to meals and for sick people also.
To bring variety in flavors of Rasam,many different ingredients are added to the rasam. Also is added an important ingredient which is called Rasam powder which is basically made with roasted and powdered toor daal and some other spices.You can make rasam powder at home also or otherwise it is available in all Indian grocery stores.
Today, I tried this spicy mint-pepper rasam which came out so delicious and benefited in my soar throat too.Mint has got so many medicinal qualities specially for stomach. The health benefits of black pepper include relief from respiratory disorders, coughs, the common cold, constipation, indigestion and many more.Read more in foot notes.
- 3.5 cups of Arhar/Toor Daal rinsed and drained
- 1/2 tsp of Ground turmeric
- 1 bunch of mint leaves
- 2 green chilies, de seeded
- 1.5 tsp coriander seeds
- 3/4 tsp cumin seeds
- 2tbsp of black pepper corns
- 1.5 tbsp lime juice
- salt
- 2tbsp of cilantro leaves to garnish( optional)
- For tempering
- 2tsp of oil/ghee
- 1tsp mustard seeds
- 1tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2tsp hingAsafoetida ( Gluten free if you want)
- 1 dried red chili
- 1 sprig of curry leaves
- Place the daal in pressure cooker with the turmeric and 1.5 cups of water. Cook under pressure for about 5 minutes until daal is soft.
- Put the mint leaves,chilies,coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and peppercorns in a small blender. Add 2tbsp of water and make a paste.
- Transfer the daal to a heavy based pan. Add about 3 cups of water and whisk well.
- Add the mint and spice paste, season with salt and mix well. Place the pan over high heat and bring it to boil. Add more water if you think the rasam is thick.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes or until rasam froths up.
- Remove from heat and add lime juice. Prepare the tempering now.
- Heat oil in a samll frying pan over medium heat, add all the ingredients for tempering and stir fry for about 1 minute until mustard seeds start to splutter.
- Add the tempering into the rasam and garnish with coriander leaves. Serve hot with plain rice or as it is and enjoy!
- 1.Adjust the spices according to your taste and comfort
- 2.Pepper increases the hydrochloric acid secretion in the stomach, thereby facilitating digestion.
- 3.Pepper helps to cure Vitiligo, which is a skin disease that causes some areas of skin to lose its normal pigmentation and turn white. According to researchers in London, the piperine content of pepper can stimulate the skin to produce pigment. Read more https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/health-benefits-of-black-pepper.html
- 4. The health benefits of mint include the following: Digestion: Mint is a great appetizer or palate cleanser, and it promotes digestion. It also soothes stomachs in cases of indigestion or inflammation. When you feel sick to your stomach, drinking a cup of mint tea can give you relief.
Karela Curry- South Indian Cuisine
Lehsuni Spinach Daal- Andhra Cuisine- Click the pic
Pretty similar to how I prepare Rasam except I love the idea of mint leaves.. I make it everyday for my baby.. Yet to try mint for her and this seems the perfect way to introduce mint for her.. Rasam looks so warming..