250 gms tomatoes, quartered
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, crushed
4 green chilies, chopped
1 lemon-sized ball of tamarind
1 tbsp jaggery
1 tsp mustard seeds
8-10 curry leaves
2 red chilies, broken into pieces
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp cumin powder
2 tsp pepper powder
1 tbsp oil
A pinch of asafortida

Simple Rasam

1. Extract the pulp from tamarind by soaking it in a cup of hot water and keep aside.
2. Boil the tomatoes, chilies and garlic in 3-4 cups of water. Also add the powders, jaggery, tamarind pulp and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
3. Heat the oil and add mustard seeds. When they splutter, add curry leaves, red chilies, asafoetida powder, onion and fry for a minute.
4. Pour it over the tomatoes mixture and serve hot.
   Serves: 4
   Preparation time: 20 minutes