Balm for the congested soul – Milagu jeera rasam

Background:

Pepper + jeera + tomato = yummy rasam.

I made this rasam Saturday since K said he felt under the weather. Making it was a breeze and it did help brighten up an otherwise drab day.

Stuff you will need:

2 big tomatoes crushed
Black Pepper – 1 tsp
Jeera/Cumin seeds – 2 tsp
Dhaniya/Coriander seeds – 2 tsp
Curry leaves – a handful
Thuvar Dhal – a handful
Salt to taste (about 1 and 1/4 tsp)
Coriander leaves – a handful minced to garnish

How to make it?

Dry roast and powder all ingredients with the exception of tomatoes. Heat 2 tsp ghee, season with mustard and curry leaves in a thick bottomed vessel. Add the crushed tomatoes and the dry roasted powder. Add water to make 3/4ths of the vessel. Add salt to taste and bring to a boil. When the concoction starts frothing, lower flame and garnish with coriander. Cover and turn gas off.

Serve hot as is or with white rice.

Serves four

Special Notes:

This rasam is used as an equivalent to the chicken soup i.e. it is a comfort food and for people with throat infection and or congestion of the nose and lungs this rasam eases the irritation and warms up the inside.