Tomato Rasam

Ingredients:

3-4 tbsp. Red Gram Daal
4 large tomatoes (finely chopped)
1/2 tsp. Garlic paste
1-inch piece of ginger (finely chopped)
21/2 cups water
1tsp Garlic grated
1 or 2 green chilies finely chopped
Coriander leaves finely chopped
Salt to taste chili or pepper powder to taste.
1/2tsp. turmeric powder
1tsp. mustard seeds
1tsp. cumin seeds
1-2 whole dried red chili (halved)
A pinch asafetida
Few curry leaves
2tbsp. oil

Method:

* Pick, wash and pressure cook the daal and keep side.
* Heat 2 tbsp. oil in a pan and add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, dried chili and asafetida.
* When mustard seeds start to splutter add garlic, ginger, tomatoes and green chilies.
* Add salt, chili & turmeric powder and a cup of water.
* Simmer for 5-6 minutes and add the cooked daal and 11/2 cup of water and bring to boil.
* Serve hot garnished with coriander leaves.