Vaamu Chaaru or Rasam / Tangy soup with Carom seeds

Vaamu Chaaru or Rasam/ Tangy soup with Carom seeds

Drinking hot soup on a cold evening is always nice. Whenever my Mom used to make rasam, we used to drink a glass of it. Always feel good inside. My Mom's chaaru are gooooooooood. It took me a while to get rasam the way I like it. Tho its easy to make, it depends on the rasam powder, how much of it you put in the rasam, what kind of tempering is done etc., etc.,. And on top of it there are so many types of Chaarus one can make like, tomato chaaru, jeera rasam, vaamu chaaru, regular chaaru etc.,.
I used the homemade rasam powder which my mother-in-law made and used vaamu in the tempering since there was a cold bug running around in our house.

Ingredients:

1 big lime sized ball of tamarind
enough water
1 1/2-2 tbsp rasam powder
1 tbsp chopped onion (optional)
1 tsp chopped coriander for garnish
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp chilli powder

For Tempering:

1/2 tsp urad daal
1/4 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp vaamu or carom seeds
3 dried red chillies, broken
5-6 curry leaves
1 tbsp oil

Method:

Soak tamarind and squeeze out the juices. Add enough water to suit your tangyness. Add the rasam powder, chopped onion, turmeric and chilli powder. Put the pot with the tamarind mixture on medium to high heat and let it come to a rolling boil and reduce heat. Now prepare for tempering in a small pot. Heat the oil and add the urad daal. When browning, add mustard seeds and vaamu. Let them splutter and add the red chillies and curry leaves. Now add this to the tamarind mixture. Increase heat and let it come to a rolling boil before turning the heat off. Serve hot with rice or plain. Enjoy!!!