Rasam Rice - Home Cooking

Step 1: Prepare Base Masala

In a mortar and pestle, add 6 cloves of garlic, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Crush them coarsely to release their fresh and earthy aroma.

Step 2: Prepare Rice and Dal

Take 1 cup (250 ml) of raw rice and 3 tablespoons of Toor dal in a bowl. Wash them thoroughly a few times with water and keep them ready.

Step 3: Heat Ghee

In a pressure cooker, add 3 tablespoons of ghee and let it heat up.

Step 4: Add Tempering Spices

Once the ghee is hot, add 1 teaspoon mustard seeds and 1 red chili cut into two pieces.

Step 5: Add Aromatics

Next, add 1 slit green chili, 1/4 teaspoon asafoetida powder, and the freshly crushed garlic, cumin, and pepper masala. Sauté everything on low flame until fragrant.

Step 6: Cook Tomatoes

Add 2 finely chopped tomatoes and cook until they turn soft and mushy.

Step 7: Add Dry Spices

Add 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder, and 2 teaspoons rasam powder (or sambar powder). Mix well and let the tomatoes blend with the spices.

Step 8: Add Curry Leaves

Throw in a few fresh curry leaves and give it a nice mix.

Step 9: Add Tamarind Water

Pour in 1 cup of tamarind water and mix well.

Step 10: Add Rice and Dal

Add the washed rice and dal mixture into the cooker. Mix everything gently.

Step 11: Add Water

Add 6 cups of water (using the same cup that measured the rice). Stir everything once again.

Step 12: Pressure Cook

Close the pressure cooker and cook on medium flame for about 6 to 7 whistles.

Step 13: Release Pressure and Check

Once the pressure has released naturally, open the cooker. The rasam rice should be perfectly cooked, soft, and mushy.

Step 14: Garnish

Finally, add some freshly chopped coriander leaves and about 2 tablespoons of ghee on top. Mix everything gently.

Step 15: Serve

Serve the perfectly soft, delicious, gooey, and flavorful homemade rasam rice hot with potato fries and crispy papad.

• Soaking rice and dal for 30 minutes before cooking results in a softer, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

• If rasam powder is unavailable, sambar powder can be used as a substitute.