Tomato Rasam & Coriander Rice

Both of these recipes were adapted from Chandra Padmanabhan's Southern Spice.

Ingredients for Rasam:

  • 1/4 cup pigeon peas
  • 6 medium tomatoes, pureed
  • 2 - 3 teaspoons rasam powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon asafoetida powder
  • salt to taste
To Temper:
  • 2 teaspoons ghee
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 dry red chili
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper powder
  • 1 sprig curry leaves
Method:
  1. Wash dal and drain. Place in a pressure cooker with 1 cup water and cook under pressure for 5 minutes... ( I just cooked it on the stove top with a couple cups water until done.)
  2. Open cooker, add extra water and whisk to make 2 cups of dal.
  3. Combine tomato puree, rasam powder, asafoetida and salt in a pan an d simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes.
  4. Add dal and bring to a boil. Lower heat, simmer until rasam froths up and remove from heat.
  5. Heat ghee for tempering in a small pan over moderate heat and add remaining ingredients. When mustard seeds start sputtering, stir contents into pan of rasam.
  6. Serve hot with plain rice (of course I thought it would be good with coriander rice :)
Ingredients for Coriander Rice:
  • 1 cup long grain rice (I used Jasmine)
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped mixed vegetables
  • salt to taste
Grind to a smooth paste:
  • 3 -4 green chilies
  • 2 medium onions, chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped coriander leaves ( I just used a bunch)
Tempering:
  • 2 teaspoons oil
  • 1 tablespoon ghee
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon asafoetida
  • 1 teaspoon urad dal (I forgot to add)
  • 1 teaspoon chana dal (also forgot to add)
  • 1 sprig curry leaves (nope, forgot to add this too :D
Garnish:
  • 2 tablespoons ghee
  • 2 tablespoons halved cashew nuts
Method:
  1. Cook rice and spread on a platter to cool
  2. Place 1/4 cup water in a pan and bring to a boil. Add vegetables and boil till tender and dry. (I just used frozen veggies and let them thaw, I never boiled them)
  3. Heat ghee for garnish in a pan over moderate heat. Add cashew nuts and fry till golden. Drain and set aside. (I just used some canned, salted nuts, so I skipped the frying)
  4. Heat oil for tempering in the same pan and add remaining ingredients for tempering. When mustard seeds start to sputter, add spice paste and sautee for 1 - 2 minutes.
  5. Gently mix in rice, vegetables, and salt and heat through.
  6. Garnish with cashew nuts and serve hot or at room temperature.

27 comments:

Cilantro said...

You actually make Rasam too. I glad to see Indian food being cooked up here and you and your daughter seem to enjoy them as well.

Sujatha said...

wow, you seem to be making all kinds of authentic indian recipes! And the best part is you and your daughter enjoying them!

I make a different type of corriander rice, but yours looks awesome and sounds simple too.. will try this way next time..

Vani said...

Are those idlies in the picture, Meeso? That whole plate looks delicious!

Finla said...

Meeso you are turing into a realy south Indian.
Love rasom, one of my favourite to have just with rice.
Rice looks beutiful.

Unknown said...

OMG so so tempting that plate looks so inviting yummmmmy

Parita said...

Both rasam and coriander rice looks mouth watering, i could have that entire plate right now!!

Pavani said...

Both the dishes look delicious. Send the coriander rice to Cooking for Kids-Leafy Greens that I'm guest hosting this month. More details on my blog. Thanks.

Vanamala Hebbar said...

This looks nice dishes...U learnt all indian food..lovely

chakhlere said...

Wow Messo !! I really loved your blog!!
Its amazing!

I loved the rassam to!!
Its my fav dish!!

Vijitha said...

Hi meeso
Sorry abou ur dad. Hope he is doing well. Its imp. to have a balanced healthy food everyday.

Coming to ur post: Its so yummy n green. Ahem! it looks like you are so good at Indian cooking. Hats off babe! WAY TO GO.

Dori said...

~ We both love it, Cilantro!

~ Thanks, Sujatha :)

~ They are, Vani... Thanks :)

~ Thanks, Happy cook!

~ Thanks, Rekha!

~ Thanks, Parita!

~ Sure, Pavani, thanks :)

~ Thanks, Vanamala!

~ Thanks, Chakhlere :)

~ Thanks, Vij :)

Valarmathi Sanjeev said...

The plate looks so inviting and tempting. Looks yummy.

AnuSriram said...

Wow.. what a lovely platter! Looks inviting!

Soma said...

Of all rasams, tomato rasam is my favorite. some fresh hot rice & the rasam is like a comfort food. love your coriander rice recipe.

Rush said...

i loved the coriander rice recipe..kudos to u!!

Deepthi Shankar said...

wow, rasam & coriander rice is such a nice combo

Priya Suresh said...

Meeso Ur plate looks fabulous..wat a delicious dishes together...Lovely rasam and gorgeous coriander rice!

lubnakarim06 said...

Hmmm I looks you are getting perfect with Indian Food.....Love the combo colors......looks yum.....

test it comm said...

That looks like a really nice meal! I like the presentation with everything formed.

Sharmila said...

Your blog has real great food and snaps! The rasam and rice sound wonderful! :-)

Dori said...

~ Thanks!

Recipeswap said...

Love the color of the rasam an rice sound very interesting.

Pooja said...

hey lovely to see u make so many Indian recipes ! lovely rasam .! kudos to you !

Dori said...

~ Thank you, both :)

Laavanya said...

How delicious that looks meeso.. it's amazing that you make idlis, rasam etc... :) Your boyfriend is definitely very lucky.
Both dishes sound fabulous.

Madhuram said...

A different version of cilantro rice which I have not tried.

May I suggest you another version of very easy rasam. My mother started doing it and now it's become popular with our extended family and friends.

Take a small vessel which would fit in a pressure cooker. Add a tablespoon of toor dal, 1 chopped tomato, turmeric powder, salt, hing, rasam powder, tamarind paste, water. Mix it together and pressure cook it for 3 whistles. Rasam is ready. Then after removing it from the cooker, do the tempering.

Dori said...

~ Thanks, Laavanya... I remind him of his luckiness often :P

~ Thanks, Madhuram... I love to try other's recipes as that's the way I find keepers! I try and try until I find something I love! I am going to surely try your version very soon, and thanks for sharing :)