Cheeram Kurumolagu Veluthulli Rasam

This rasam is like the best known reliver of Cough and cold. It has all natural ingredients to fight cold, cough and congestion. This rasam is know in different names in all of South India. I would say every house has a version. This is my Kerala style version of the soothing rasam for the flu season. This will wake up all your clogged senses. I use Tamarind paste. You are free to use the fresh Tamarind. Use the old dark tamarind as they have more medicinal properties than the new lighter looking tamarind. Yes, as the saying goes, 'The darker the better'! ;)

10 Cloves Garlic-Sliced or crushed (Veluthulli)
2 Tomatoes-Finely chopped
2 Tblsp-Cumin seeds (Cheeram, Jeera)
1 Tblsp-Crushed Black Pepper(Kurumolagu)
6 Curry leaves
1/4 tsp-Hing
1/4 tsp-Turmeric
Salt to taste
1/4 tsp-Jaggery
3/4 tsp-Dark Tamarind paste
1/2 tsp- Mustard seeds
1/4 tsp-Fenugreek powder
1 tsp Olive oil or Ghee
4 Cups of water

1. Heat a sauce pan, add oil and let the mustard seeds splutter. Then add the curry leaves, cumin and garlic and saute it for a bit.
2. Reduce the heat add turmeric, crushed pepper and little bit of salt. Saute it a couple of min adding hing to it.
3. Now, add the chopped tomatoes and little bit of salt. Once it starts to soften add the water.
4. Mix in the tamarind paste, add a little bit of salt and jaggery and let it boil really well.
5. Reduce the heat and let it cook for 10 min. Check for seasoning and add if need be.

Your rasam is ready. This can be had just like that as a soup or along with rice.