Last Updated:March 28, 2025, 08:14 IST

Tamarind rasam, or Puli Rasam, is a popular South Indian dish. It is a sour, spicy, and warming broth that can be enjoyed as a soup or mixed with rice

Many people like to slot rasam into comfort food category. The tangy rasam flavour, which gives a soup-like warmth, tastes delicious in restaurants, but do you know you can make it in the comfort of your home in just 15 minutes?

Tamarind Rasam, also known as Puli Rasam (Puli means tamarind in Tamil), is a popular South Indian dish. It is a sour, spicy, and warming broth that can be enjoyed as a soup or mixed with rice. With just a few basic spices like black pepper, cumin, garlic, and dried red chillies, you can make a flavourful rasam in no time.

Preparing Tamarind Water

To make tamarind water, soak a lemon-sized ball of dried tamarind in 1 cup of water for 30 to 40 minutes. If you’re short on time, use hot water and soak for 15 to 20 minutes. Do this at the beginning so it’s ready when you start cooking.

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon black pepper (whole, not ground)
• 1 to 1.5 teaspoons cumin seeds
• 4 to 5 garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• ¼ teaspoon fenugreek seeds
• 3 to 4 dried red chillies
• ¼ cup chopped coriander leaves
• Mustard seeds and curry leaves for tempering

Recipe

1. In a pan, dry roast black pepper, cumin, coriander, fenugreek seeds, and dried red chillies without oil.
2. Blend these roasted spices into a fine powder. If you prefer a thicker paste, add half an onion while grinding.
3. Heat two tablespoons of oil in a pot over a low flame. Add mustard seeds and curry leaves.
4. Once they splutter, add garlic and saute for a minute.
5. Add onion and green chillies, frying until the raw smell disappears (the onion should not change colour completely).

Add Tamarind and Spices:

• Pour in the soaked tamarind water and add salt to taste.
• Stir in the ground spice mix and let it boil for two more minutes.
• If desired, add jaggery for a hint of sweetness.
• Finish with chopped coriander leaves and remove from heat.

Drink it as a soup, especially in winter or during the rainy season. Mix it with steamed rice for a delicious and comforting meal. It is excellent for colds, coughs, and fever, as its warm and soothing properties help fight seasonal illnesses.