Paruppu Rasam - Tomato Rasam

Paruppu rasam also known as tomato rasam is an easy to prepare rasam variety which has the goodness of toor dal. It is the most commonly prepared rasam variety and is a healthy lunch recipe for babies and kids. We can add plain dal with rice and mix this rasam topped with ghee, when giving for babies and kids.

Paruppu Rasam Recipe

Serves  :  3 - 4 people

Ingredients

• Tomato  -  1 small sized
• Tamarind   -  a small lemon sized
• Toor dal  -  1/4 cup
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
• Sambar powder  -  1.5 tsp
• Pepper jeera powder  -  1/2 tsp
• Asafoetida -  2 generous pinches
• Salt  -  as required
• Coriander leaves  -  little, finely chopped

To temper

• Ghee  -  1 tsp
• Mustard  -   1/2 tsp
• Cumin seeds  -  1/2 tsp
• Curry leaves  -  a sprig

Method

1. Soak tamarind in water and extract around 1.5 cups of tamarind juice.
2. Wash and pressure cook dal with a pinch of turmeric powder and required water for 7 to 8 whistles. Add a drop of oil while cooking dal to preventing it from boiling over or clogging the pressure cooker.
3. If the tomatoes are ripe, roughly crush them. 
4. In a vessel, add the crushed tomatoes, tamarind extract, sambar powder, pepper jeera powder, turmeric powder, salt and asafoetida. 
5. Cook the rasam in low to medium flame till the raw smell of the tamarind and powders leave.
6. Add the mashed dal and another 1/2 cup of water and mix well. When froth starts to form, add finely chopped coriander leaves and switch off the stove. Do not let it boil beyond this. 
7. In a small pan, add ghee and temper with mustard, cumin seeds and curry leaves. Add this to the rasam.
8. Close the vessel immediately so that the flavour is retained.
9. Serve with hot rice. 

Notes

• Do not use iron vessel/pan for making rasam as it does not taste good.
• This rasam will not be clear/watery due to the addition of dal. Hence always mix it well before serving every time.