Degchi
Rasam
Serves 4 · Total 35 min · Prep 10 min · Cook 25 min
AI-generated illustration (Gemini)
A thin, peppery, tamarind-and-tomato soup tempered with mustard seeds and curry leaves — South India's answer to a digestif. Poured over rice or sipped on its own, it's the dish served when someone has a cold.
Quick answer: 35 min in total · serves 4 · main ingredients: Split pigeon peas, Tomato, Tamarind, Black pepper · amounts in metric and US
Ingredients
- 100 g 3.5 oz Split pigeon peas
- 2 pc 2 pc Tomato, chopped
- 2 tbsp 2 tbsp Tamarind, pulp, soaked in water
- 1 tsp 1 tsp Black pepper, crushed
- 1 tsp 1 tsp Cumin seeds, crushed
- 0.25 tsp 0.25 tsp Turmeric
- 1 tsp 1 tsp Mustard seeds
- 1 tbsp 1 tbsp Cooking oil
- 1 tsp 1 tsp Salt, to taste
- 4 clove 4 clove Garlic, crushed (Optional)
- 10 pc 10 pc Curry leaves (Optional)
- 2 pc 2 pc Whole red chilli (Optional)
- 2 tbsp 2 tbsp Coriander, chopped, for garnish (Optional)
Steps
Timers run only while this tab is open. The Degchi app keeps them running on a locked phone.
- Pressure-cook the lentils with turmeric and water until soft, then mash lightly.⏱ Cooking lentils · 15 min
- Crush pepper, cumin and garlic coarsely with a mortar and pestle.
- In a pot, add the tamarind pulp, chopped tomato, crushed spice mix and 3 cups of water; bring to a boil.
- Simmer for 10 minutes until the raw tamarind smell goes.⏱ Simmering rasam base · 10 min
- Add the mashed lentils and salt; simmer gently for 5 minutes without letting it boil hard.⏱ Simmering gently · 5 min
- Temper mustard seeds, whole red chilli and curry leaves in hot oil, and pour over the rasam.⏱ Tempering rasam · 1 min
- Garnish with coriander and serve hot, either as a soup or poured over steamed rice.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Rasam take?
35 minutes in total: about 10 minutes of prep and 25 minutes of cooking.
Is Rasam hard to make?
Degchi rates it easy. The method has 7 steps, and 4 of them have a timer you can start on this page.
How many people does Rasam serve?
This recipe serves 4. Use the toggle above the ingredient list to see the amounts in metric or US measures. For more or fewer portions, scale every amount in the same proportion, or use the servings control in the Degchi app.
Is Rasam halal, vegetarian or eggless?
It is marked halal in our recipe data. It is vegetarian. It has no egg. It has no beef. Check the labels on any packaged ingredients for your own needs.
What will I probably need to buy for Rasam?
Everyday staples that Degchi counts as pantry basics: turmeric, cooking oil, salt. Spice-box items: tamarind, black pepper, cumin seeds, mustard seeds. Fresh items you will probably need to buy: tomato. Lentils, grains and other dry goods: split pigeon peas.
Any tips for making Rasam?
Never let rasam boil vigorously once the lentils go in — a gentle simmer keeps it light instead of frothy.
Notes and questions
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Cooking terms in this recipe: Tamarind · Curry leaves
