Rasam with Rasapodi(No dhal,No tomato version)

INGREDIENTS:Serves 4. Whenever you are affected by cold or heavyness this is a wonderful medicinal rasam.It has ginger,garlic,pepper,jeera,turmeric,redchillies - All of them combats in fighting cold.You can even take it as soup 2 or 3 times a day when you have heavy cold.

1. Tamarind - Less than lemon size
2. Red chillies -1 big size
3. Mustard seeds - to temper
4. Jeera seeds - to temper
5. Pepper seeds - 5 or 6 whole
6. Curry leaves and coriander leaves - to temper
7. Ginger - 1/2 inch piece(Optional)
8. Garlic pods - 3 or 4 (Optional)
9. Turmeric powder - 1/2 teaspoon
10. Rock salt/salt - to taste
11. Hing/Asafoetida - 1 small cube that is fried or powder 1/4 teaspoon
12. Rasam powder - 5 teaspoons 

I make my own rasam powder.This is the recipe for that. You can even use store bought but this powder gives authentic taste.

Rasam Powder: Makes around 250g and can be stored for upto 1 month or more in clean dry airtight container.

1. Toor dhal - 1.5 cup(100g)
2. Dhaniya/Coriander seeds - 1 cup(100g)
3. Asafoetida cube - around 1/4 inch
4. Jeera seeds - 2 teaspoons
5. Black pepper - 1 teaspoon(Increase this if you want spicy version)
6. Red chillies - 2 medium sized

Dry roast all the above ingredients and add a drop of oil and fry the asafoetida cube.Grind all these ingredients in mixer and keep it in a airtight container.

METHOD:

1. Extract the tamarind water and add the salt,turmeric powder,asafoetida,cut ginger and cut garlic.
2. Take a small frying pan and add 1/2 teaspoon oil. Splutter the mustard seeds and add jeera,pepper,curry leavesand red chillies and keep aside. 
3. Once the raw smell of the tamarind goes add the rasam powder and little water .You can check the taste and add water and powder accordingly.After adding rasam powder keep the stove in low flame,once you get white froth like bubbles switch off and remove from flame.
4. Add coriander leaves and the already tempered items from step 2. Rasam is ready to serve!