Fruity coriander rasam

My mind constantly craves new twists to my day to day activities in kitchen. I had a friend coming over for lunch and it was cold too. Along with a rawa dosa, hot rasam seemed a perfect match. But run of the mill rasam wasn’t a very exciting thought. Saw oranges and then an apple...voila...a great rasam that was amazing in taste and very different too. Perfect. 

INGREDIENTS

2 chopped sweet and sour apples 

2 oranges segmented 

1 green chilli 

3-4 cloves garlic 

1/2 tsp grated ginger 

Few curry leaves 

1/4 cup coriander leaves 

1/4 tsp haldi

1/4 tsp cumin 

Pepper crushed as per taste 

Pinch of hing

1/2 tsp dhaniya powder 

1 tsp ready made rasam powder( optional) 

1 tsp ghee 

Lemon juice 

1/4 tsp mustard seeds

METHOD

1. Put all ingredients except ghee, mustard seeds, lemon and curry leaves in a pot and pressure cook. 

2. Once cooked well, blend well. 

3. Heat ghee, add mustard seeds and curry leaves and let them splutter. 

4. Pour into the rasam, heat through. 

5. Squeeze lemon juice and garnish with green coriander leaves and serve hot. 

6. Enjoy with any meal as a great palate cleanser and nutritious drink. Good way to use the left over fruits. 

Beetroot rasam

Beetroots are very healthy and are rich in beta carotene and iron. But I remember as a kid I disliked the taste of it. I specially remember the taste of the juice my dad made once with it along with carrots and tomatoes. It felt like blood and we dreaded it. I have grown to love these beets and often use them for salads and hence decided it use it for a rasam. Combined with tamarind rice, it was delicious. Next time I shall more beets as the color is missing.

INGREDIENTS
1 peeled beetroot ( I used boiled that I had)
2 tbsp grated coconut(desiccated can also do)
1 tbsp rasam powder
1/3 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp cracked pepper
Few curry leaves
3 pods garlic
1/2 inch ginger
Small ball tamarind
1/4 cup tomatoes
Salt to taste
1 tbsp ghee

METHOD
1. Put all ingredients in a pressure cooker and boil well.
2. Use a stick blender to blend everything well.
3. Adjust seasonings, serve with coriander leaves.