DRUMSTICK RASAM / MULAKKADA RASAM

RASAM... As you know rasam is a very popular dish in south india. As i said before this is another variety of rasam prepared with drumsticks and moongdal. Drumsticks are very rich in fiber content and moongdal is very rich in proteins and helps in reducing the heat of the body. Addition of tadka and tamarind juice gives a nice aroma and taste to the dish which makes your mouth water... :)


Preparation time : 15 mins
Cooking time : 30 mins

INGREDIENTS
1/4 glass moong dal / pesarapappu (soaked for 5 mins)
1 drumstick, chopped into 2 inch pieces
1 large tomato, chopped into cubes
2 greenchillies, cut into slits
1 sprig curryleaves
1/2 cup coriander leaves
lemon size tamarind extract
salt as per taste
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
2 tsp rasam powder ( i used mtr)
2 tbsp jaggery (optional)
FOR THE TADKA
2 tbsp oil
1 tsp urad dal / minapappu
1 tsp mustard seeds / aavalu
1/2 tsp jeera
2 red chillies, broken into 1 inch pieces
1/4 tsp hing / asafoetida

PREPARATION 

1. Soak moong dal for 5 mins. Take a pressure cook and half glass water and pressure cook for 3-4 whistles. Once the pressure is gone remove the lid and mash the dal.
2. Soak tamarind in hot water and keep aside. 

METHOD OF COOKING  

• Take a cooking vessel and add the mashed dal, desired quantity of water ( to boil the vegetables), chopped drumstick pieces, tomato pieces, curry leaves and greenchillies. Mix and let it boil.
• Once the vegetables are boiled add the tamarind extract, mix and let it boil for another 5 mins.
• Add turmeric powder, rasam powder, salt, jaggery and coriander leaves. Mix well and let it boil for another 5 mins.
• In the meanwhile take a tadka pan and add oil. Once the oil is heat add the ingredients FOR THE TADKA mentioned above and let it fry. 
• Add this tadka to the boiling mixture and let it boil for another 5 mins.
• Serve hot with rice and papad.