Tomato Rasam / Tili Saaru

      Rasam or Tili saaru is a dish prepared without using any lentils. It is generally very lite in texture and is a superb drink especially when you are down with cold.. You can compare it with clear soup.. :) 

     In other south indian states, this is called rasam... but in typical Karnataka cuisine, this is called Saaru. Saaru is usually cooked with toor dal.. but in tili saaru no lentil is used. 

      Rasam powder is made in all South Indian homes and is used on a daily basis. Our lunch and dinners are incomplete without Rasam. It tastes great with rice and papad... 

      There are many variations of rasam powder, but the recipe which I have given below is made in Brahmin households in my native Bellary...

For the rasam powder / saarina pudi

Coriander seeds - 1 cup

Cumin seeds - 1/4 cup

Peppercorns - 1/4 cup

Red Chillies - 3 cups

Fenugreek seeds - 3 tbsp

For the saaru...

Tomatoes - 2 

Coriander chopped - 3 tsp

Curry leaves - 8 to 10

Rasam powder - 2 tsp

Jaggery - 2 tsp

Oil - 2 tsp

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Asafoeida - 1 pinch

Turmeric - 1/2 tsp

Rock salt to taste

Method:

Dry roast all the ingredients for the rasam powder.. Grind them to smooth powder. 

Heat oil in a pan. Add chopped tomatoes to it. When they turn soft, add curry leaves, rasam powder, jaggery and salt and mix well. Add two cups of water to it. Mix and allow it to cook on medium flame for around 10 mins.. If required add more water. Add chopped coriander to it. 

Heat a tsp of oil in a different pan and temper it with mustard seeds, asafoetida and turmeric. Add this to the rasam. 

Enjoy this with hot rice, ghee and papad.. :)

Note:

I have used dried red chillies that are medium hot. If you are using very hot red chillies, use only 2 cups..