Kerala Style Tomato Rasam

          When I was looking at Sadya menus, a Rasam is also a part of it. Just like the sambar which is prepared in the Kerala style, the rasam is also different from the Tamil style. So I checked some recipes and finally settled down on this, since it didn't require any rasam powder. Tomatoes are the main ingredient for this rasam and we add both ginger and garlic to it, the rasam tasted very good and had a different flavor, do try it when you want a change from your regular style of rasam..

Mangalore Cucumber Seeds Saaru ( Rasam )

          When I posted Mangalore Cucumber Palya/Stir-Fry, I had told that I had saved the seeds for doing another dish called Saaru. Saaru is basically similar to the Tamil Rasam with a very thin soup like consistency. In Karnataka, they make Saaru out of cooked dal/lentil water, greens like spinach and like this one using the seeds of the Cucumber. Mangalore cucumber is the yellow or orange colored cucumbers, usually shaped as shown in the picture. When eaten raw, they don't taste like the regular cucumber but they taste very good in curries. I had adapted the recipe from here and they had used Udupi Rasam Powder to spice up the Saaru, since I didn't have it with me, I checked the ingredients for it and used them in this recipe. Also I added a cup of cooked lobia/karamani/black eyed peas to the saaru at the end, this way I thought I can add some protein. Since I added just one cup, it didn't change the taste or consistency of the Saaru. It went well with white rice and the Mangalore Cucumber Palya that I made that day. Next time, you see this orange/yellow Cucumber in the market, do buy and try out the Palya and this Saaru..

Poricha Rasam

          I make rasam only once or twice a week, because it's only during the weekends, we have a full course meal for lunch, the other days I pack lunch, it's either rotis or some rice and most of the days and I make only the simple tomato and garlic rasam, once in a while I make a different one. Coming to today's Poricha Rasam, we use two varieties of dal/lentils, tuvar and moong dal and a ground paste of coconut and other spices. This rasam is slightly thicker and the flavor from the ground paste is awesome and usually I make this rasam on days that I don't make sambar. When mixed with rice, it tastes divine with some pappads or potato curry on the side..

Mampazha Rasam, Mango Rasam ( Soup )

          It's more than two weeks now, that I have cooked anything, hopefully, my kitchen will be ready by this weekend, till then I am posting dishes that I had made some time back. Today's post is going to be Mampazha Rasam/Mango Rasam, I had made this in the summer when mangoes were in season. After the Mango Moru Kuzhambu, I wanted to try something else with ripe mangoes, something that can be had with rice and then I decided to make a rasam with it. We make rasam with pineapples, so I thought that something like that with mangoes should also taste good. Just like I thought, the rasam turned out really good and went very well with rice, try this rasam if you like Pineapple Rasam, because both of them taste a little sweet because of the fruits..

Thakkali Paruppu Rasam, Tomatoes And Lentil Rasam/ Soup

         When I cook lunch, the South Indian way with rice, sambar and curry, rasam is a must, at least for my husband. He, being a big fan of tomatoes, this rasam which is loaded with tomatoes is one of his favorites. I don't use the regular rasam powder for this, instead I use freshly ground pepper and cumin and also some chopped ginger which gives a wonderful flavor to it. It's very easy to make, tastes great with rice and can be had as a soup too..

Pineapple Rasam/ Clear Soup

          Rasam is a must in the lunch menu when my husband is around. Most of the times, I use the ready made rasam powder and it'll usually be a tomato, lemon or garlic rasam. I had this small tin of pineapples, when thinking about how to finish it, this Pineapple Rasam popped up. Though I've had it many times and made it at home a couple of times, I was not really satisfied with the taste. This time, I used freshly ground powder and I don't know what, everything fell into place and the rasam was very flavorful and tasted awesome, this one's a keeper..

Thakkali Rasam/Tomato Rasam

          Whenever we want to have something simple, we say 'oh just make some rice and rasam'. Though rasam might be a very simple dish, if not made properly, can end up tasting like hot water. A good rasam (sort of a South Indian soup) should have the correct balance of sourness, salt and spice. Usually everybody has a ready made rasam powder that is added, even I have one, but for today's rasam I am using a freshly ground one. Also there are so many varieties of rasam, some with added lentils, some without, this rasam here is with tomatoes and lentils, very refreshing with freshly ground black pepper and cumin..