Kollu (Horse Gram) Rasam

A healthy rasam with all the cholesterol-lowering goodness of the horse gram. This is a kids favorite too.  This rasam can also be had as a soup on cold days. I make this for the kids when they are starting on a cold or cough. I serve this with rice and any spicy side dish (potato fry with this rasam is my family favorite).

Ingredients:
1. Boiled horse gram, 1/4 cup. Save the boiled water for rasam and the cooked horsegrsm can be eaten by itself or added in any other cooking.
2. Ripe tomatoes, 2.
3. Garlic, 2 cloves.
4. Thick tamarind extract from a small lime sized ball or tamarind paste, 1 teaspoon.
5. Asafetida, a pinch.
6. Turmeric powder, a pinch.
7. Salt, as per taste.
8.Curry leaves and chopped cilantro for garnishing.
9. Rasam powder, 1 teaspoon. (For a quick and fresh rasam powder, roast 1/2 teaspoon of roasted cumin seeds, 1/4 teaspoon peppercorns, 1/2 teaspoon of coriander seeds, and 1-2 dried red chilies in a spice grinder).

For seasoning:
1. Mustard seeds, 1/2 teaspoon.
2. Cumin seeds, 1/2 teaspoon.
3. Dried broken red chilies, 1-2.

Preparation:
Mix the tamarind extract and the boiled horsegrsm water and keep aside.  Crush the tomatoes and garlic and add them into this mixture along with salt, hing, and turmeric powder. Add 4 cups of water to this and heat it on a medium heat. Once the mixture comes to a boil, add the rasam powder, curry leaves, and chopped cilantro and switch off the stove.  Fry the seasonings in a tablespoon of oil (First add the mustard seeds and let it splutter, then add the cumin seeds and red chilies and fry for a few seconds)and pour this over the rasam. Kollu rasam is ready.