Soup (Rasam) Experience/Tasting Story

When I was a kid, if I heard the word sambar (south Indian gravy), I’ll run away. Don’t know why I had such an aversion to Sambar. Similarly for bathing too. Of course, Like all moms, my mom also had a silver bullet. It's called „Ammavasai“(new moon day). There is a funny saying “One should Bath on Diwali and New moon day at least”:D:D. So whenever I cried not to bath (especially on Sundays), she uses her silver bullet. She would come with a daily calendar showing that big black circle noting new moon day and makes me to bath. Likewise, she had a silver bullet to make me eat sambar. In India, there is a saying that any gravy is layered. The top most layer is rasam, Middle layer is sambar and bottom layer is Kootu. In reality, this is a funny comment made when all three tastes similar and the only difference is consistency. But my mom uses this and takes the top layer from the rasam and makes me eat it.

After growing up little more, say 7 to 10 years old, I started to hate rasam. Do you know why???

You may know if you are south Indian. If you are from the USA or other western countries, you might hate chicken noodle soup or onion-garlic soup for the same reason. ;) It’s given for convalescing kids. Whenever I fall sick, I started feeling a sour taste in mouth and this Rasam would make me feel sourer. :(. But now I suggest to give rasam rice to my nephew, if he falls sick.

During my teenage, I slowly picked up eating rasam rice made by my mom. But still I don’t like rasam in Restaurants and in marriage lunches. Generally, they add too much of asafetida, which I don’t like to the core.

After moving to Germany, I crave for my rasam. Even though I tried many times by following various recipes, I still fail to bring my Mom’s aromatic rasam.

I got a good recipe from a friend who cooks really well and authentic. Though he makes several types of rasam, my favorite is his Parupu rasam.

I’m sharing this recipe with you. Please try it and let me know, how it came up…

And apart from paruppu rasam, there are so many types of rasam.

Let me list out few that I’m familiar to with.

Types of rasam.

• Parupu rasam Paruppu Rasam /Daal Rasam/Toor Daal Rasam/Indian Spiced Lentil Soup Recipe
• Tomato rasam Tomato/Milagu/Kothamalli(Coriander) Rasam Recipe (Indian spiced Soup)
• Cumin (Jeera) Rasam – (Very basic Rasam) – Suitable for beginners.
• Pepper rasam(Very good for a cough and cold)
• Lemon Rasam
• Garlic rasam
• Mysore Rasam (ate it while was in Bangalore, India)

There is so many other rasam derived from these major types. There is some Non- vegetarian rasam as well. Say, Nandu (crab) rasam, Kohli(chicken) Rasam. Non- vegetarian rasam are totally different from veg rasam starting from ingredients to the process.

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”

Rasam fits the quote very well. I’ll list out medical benefits of Rasam as far as I know. Please add it in your comments, if I have missed something.

Medical benefits of rasam

• Good for convalescing kids and adults.It's an amazing food for kids suffering or recovering from a cough and cold. Especially Pepper rasam is very good for recovering from throat pain.
• Baby food.Generally, In India, kids start with solid food like Idly, mashed carrots. Next to that finely mashed rasam rice is very good option for kids. It fills their stomach and also very healthy.
• Easy Digestion and prevents constipation and acidity.Because of the ingredients like cumin, tamarind, Rasam promotes digestion and prevents constipation. Asafetida in Rasam helps to reduce acidity.
• As Appetizer.In many restaurants, I have seen “Rasam of the day” as appetizers. Of course, its induces hunger.
• Losing weight healthily.If you are in diet and want to avoid heavy dinner, Go for a bowl of rasam in the night. It will help in digestion and also good sleep.

Last but not least, Rasamandi!!! You may be wondering what is it?!?!? Just the last ladle of Rasam is Rasamandi, which will have all the solid ingredients that added in Rasam. Some have the habit of grinding rasam powder coarsely. So, rasamandi will have those spices also. It’s an amazing side dish for curd rice. Nothing can beat Curd rice with rasamandi.

Feel like trying rasam??? Start with basic Puli or Cumin rasam. Also, add your comments about it… :) :) :)