Rasam

Directions

1. 1
   Wash the lentils well and soak it in water for 2-3 hrs.
2. 2
   In a pressure cooker, add the soaked lentils, 2 cups of water, shallots, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, green chillies, asafoetida, tumeric and salt.
3. 3
   Pressure cook until 3 whistles.
4. 4
   Cool and transfer the contents to a blender and puree the contents.
5. 5
   Dry roast the spices except asafoetida in a pan.
6. 6
   Cool and powder it in a coffee or spice grinder.
7. 7
   Dissolve the tamrind paste in half cup of warm water.
8. 8
   Keep it aside
9. 9
   In a pot, add butter or olive oil.
10. 10
    Heat it and add the chopped onions, saute it well till it becomes brown and caramelised.
11. 11
    Add the chicken breasts (or vegetables) and saute for another 2 mins.
12. 12
    Add the lentil puree and chicken stock and bring it to boil for 30 minutes
13. 13
    Add the tamarind water and simmer for another 10 minutes.
14. 14
    Add 2 tablespoon full of the roasted spice powder and simmer it for another 10 minutes.
15. 15
    Add Salt and pepper to taste
16. 16
    Add the steamed rice to the broth and switch off the heat.
17. 17
    Stir well.
18. 18
    In a pan, add a tablespoon full of clarified butter.
19. 19
    Heat it to smoking point and add a teaspoon of cumin seeds.
20. 20
    Let them crackle.
21. 21
    Add this to the broth
22. 22
    Add coriander and basil leaves.
23. 23
    Ladle hot soup into bowls.
24. 24
    Serve hot