Pepper Rasam (Pepper Soup) [RECIPE]

Enjoy this potent south Indian delicacy with the goodness of pepper and garlic! Perfect to lift your spirits up when you are feeling a little down with cold!

Ingredients:

• 3.5 cups ........... water
• 1  ..................... medium sized tomato
• 1.5 tsp .............. pepper powder
• 1 tsp ................. cumin powder
• 1 tsp ................. rasam powder 
• 7-8 ................... garlic cloves (crushed or chopped)
• lemon sized ....... tamarind ball
• salt to taste

For tempering

• 1/2 tsp .............. mustard seeds
• 1 tsp ................. oil
• 2 ....................... dried button red chili
• a few ................ curry leaves
• 1/2 tsp .............. turmeric powder
• 1 tsp ................. rasam powder 
• 1/2 tsp .............. asafoetida (hing)

Method:

• Soak tamarind in water for 10-15 mins. Strain and keep the juice aside.
• In a large sauce pot, boil water. 
• Once the water starts boiling, add pepper powder, cumin powder, rasam powder, garlic cloves, tamarind juice and salt.
• Chop the tomato into small pieces and add to the boiling mixture.
• Cook this mixture on medium heat for 10-15 minutes.
• Now prepare the tempering. Heat oil and add all the tempering ingredients. Once the seeds splutter, pour it over the mixture.
• Now cook it further for 5 minutes. You know the rasam is ready when the mixture has reduced to about 2 cups.
• Serve hot!