Tomato Rasam

Rasam can be prepared in many ways.I love my moms tomato rasam. She makes the tempering with ghee,I think thats the secret of such delicious flavor.
Preparation time: 20 minutes 

Serves: 6

Ingredients:
4 ripe tomatoes pureed

1/2 teaspoon tamarind paste

3 cloves of garlic minced

1/2  teaspoon cumin seeds

dash of black pepper powder

6 green chilis minced(or pureed with the tomato)

1 teaspoon of ghee

1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds

A pinch of turmeric powder

1/2 cup onion diced

1 spring curry leaves

salt to taste

pinch of hing / asafoetida powder

1/2 teaspoon rasam powder

2 tbsp of chopped coriander leaves, for garnish

Procedure:

1.Heat ghee in a pan add the chana dal and urad dal and let brown lightly.Add mustard,garlic and cumin seeds and curry leaves and let splutter.

2.Now add the onions,turmeric and green chili  and saute for 2 minutes.

3.Add tomatoes and 2 cups of water,salt, rasam powder, black pepper powder, tamarind paste and hing and let boil for 12 minutes until onions are soft.

4.Turn off the stove and add cilantro for garnish.

Tips:

This can be served with rice or had as is as a soup.
This also goes very well with chicken curry.