Cast Iron

Cherry Tomato Rasam

by:
August 17, 2011
0
0 Ratings
  • Makes 3 cups
Author Notes

Trust me to traipse off half way across the world just when a contest theme involving a staple pops up..
Rasams are tangy spicy clear broths that are served with rice as a second course in a traditional 3 course South Indian meal. The defining spice notes come from a coarse mix of cumin & coriander, supplemented by curry leaves & fresh cilantro for a garnish. —Panfusine

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • Rasam Spice blend
  • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
  • 2 teaspoons Cumin seeds
  • 2 dried arbol chiles
  • 1 tablespoon dried split pigeon peas (Tuvar dal)
  • Rasam broth
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 large olive sized ball of tamarind fruit pulp OR
  • 1/2 teaspoon tamarind extract
  • 2 tablespoons Rasam spice blend
  • 1 cup Cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in half
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 pinch asafetida powder
  • 1 sprig curry leaves
  • 1 small green chile slit in two
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon ghee
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
Directions
  1. In a coffee grinder, combine the ingredients for the spice blend & grind to a coarse powder
  2. Set the water to boil in a saucepan & add the tamarind, spice blend, tomatoes, asafetida, curry leaves,turmeric and salt ( all the ingredients except the cilantro, lime, ghee & cumin). Bring to a boil & then simmer, till the tomatoes are really soft. (~ 15 minutes)
  3. In a cast iron skillet, heat the ghee till REALLY smoking hot. add the cumin seeds & allow to sputter, split & brown. Add this sizzling tempering into the broth.
  4. Remove from heat & garnish with chopped cilantro. Add lime juice as per taste, Serve over plain rice. Or simply with as a light broth.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • susan g
    susan g
  • boulangere
    boulangere
  • Panfusine
    Panfusine
A biomedical engineer/ neuroscientist by training, currently a mommy blogger on a quest for all things food - Indian Palate, Global perspective!

3 Reviews

susan G. August 18, 2011
I've been looking for this!
 
boulangere August 18, 2011
I can nearly smell it from your description. So glad you're thinking such wonderful food on your great trip.
 
Panfusine August 26, 2011
Boulangere, you've no idea what a treasure trove of spice I stumbled on to on a day trip to a really remote picnic location, the day before, they were selling fresh nutmeg fruits & there was mace & nutmeg being dried all over the sidewalks..Kid in a candy store splurging in spices...Still high from nibbling on uber fresh mace (its a gorgeous bright red), shall post pics on foodpickle later!