Kothamalli Rasam / Cilantro Rasam / Cilantro Soup With Garlic

Rasam is one of the comfort, easy and simple recipe with lots of health benefits. And also its one of the main dish in South Indian Lunch Thali. I usually make Rasam twice in a week, My lil' one love rasam n rice more than other dishes i make. So i make it often for him. And also health wise its more good, the addition of cumin seeds/jeera, pepper & Garlic makes it good for digestion, soothes throat problems also. Now for this weather i really wanted to sip hot piping rasam. I had already posted few 11 rasam varieties and today's rasam is one the most flavorful and yummy Rasam, Kothamalli Rasam. The freshly crunshed cilantro along with garlic,jeera n pepper gives a nice aroma, that too while sauteing in oil it smells so refreshing n lovely. Very easy to make with all simple ingredients and the recipe as follows...

Ingredients

1. Cilantro/Coriander leaves     20 stems along with it leaves
2. Tomato      2 no.
3. Coconut      2 tsp (freshly grated - Optional)
4. Tamarind paste      1 tsp
5. Rasam powder      1/2 tbsp
6. Turmeric powder     a generous pinch
7. Salt      to taste

To Crush or grind coarsely

1. Cumin seeds/Jeera       1 tbsp
2. Pepper corns     1/2 tbsp
3. Garlic      4-5 cloves
4. Cilantro      10 stems along with its leaves

To Temper

1. Oil       1 tsp
2. Mustard seed      1/2 tsp
3. Hing      1/4 tsp
4. Dry Red chili      2 no. broken\

Method

• Wash Cilantro in running water, drain using colander and keep aside.
• In a blender, add cumin seeds, pepper corns,garlic and cilantro, pulse it for few seconds and keep ready.

• Heat oil in a kadai/sauce pan, add tempering ingredients allow mustard seeds to splutter.
• Then add crushed cilantro-garlic mixture and fry well for 1-2 minutes.
• After that add 1/2 cup of water and bring it to boil.

• Once it starts boiling add tamarind paste n tomato( i coarsely grind it in a blender), enough salt and give it a stir.
• Then add shredded coconut, rasam powder and mix well and cook covered in medium heat.
• When the rasam starts to boil, add remaining chopped n crushed cilantro leaves & stems and again close it with a lid.

• Switch off the stove when the rasam starts boiling and keep covered in the stove itself for 4-5 minutes.
• That's it...Flavorful & Tasty Kothamalli Rasam Ready. Serve hot with plain rice or drink it piping hot like a soup.

Notes:
U can make this as a plain puli rasam also instead of adding tomato.
Adding shredded coconut is optional, i love adding coconut to my rasam, sure it gives a nice flavor n taste to the rasam.
do not omit garlic, cilantro-garlic combo works too good n the smell while sauteing is too good, so don't omit that.