Liven up your taste buds with this mouthwatering and tangy Lemon Rasam recipe. Bursting with flavors, this traditional South Indian dish is a must-try for all spice lovers.

In this article, you will discover the simple steps to create this delicious rasam that combines the zingy freshness of lemon with aromatic spices to create a delightful and comforting soup. Get ready to tantalize your senses with this easy-to-follow recipe!

Ingredients

To make a delicious lemon rasam, you will need the following ingredients:

• Tamarind
• Cooked lentils
• Tomatoes
• Green chilies
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Mustard seeds
• Cumin seeds
• Curry leaves
• Asafoetida
• Turmeric powder
• Red chili powder
• Salt
• Lemon

Preparation

Step 1: Prepare the ingredients

Before making the lemon rasam, let’s gather all the necessary ingredients and prepare them. Soak the tamarind in warm water and extract its juice. Cook the lentils and keep them ready.

Chop the tomatoes, green chilies, ginger, and garlic finely. This way, all the ingredients will be prepared for use when required.

Step 2: Prepare the lemon rasam base

To prepare the lemon rasam base, heat some oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds, and let them splutter. Then, add finely chopped ginger, garlic, and green chilies, and sauté them until they turn golden brown.

Next, add curry leaves and asafoetida and sauté for a few seconds. Add the chopped tomatoes and cook them until they become soft and mushy.

Step 3: Add the cooked lentils and spices

Once the tomatoes are cooked, add the cooked lentils to the pan. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Now, it’s time to add the spices. Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt according to your taste.

Mix everything well and let the flavors blend for a few minutes.

Step 4: Tempering the rasam

To enhance the flavors of the lemon rasam, it’s time to temper it with some additional spices. Heat a small amount of oil in a separate pan and add mustard seeds. Once they start spluttering, add cumin seeds and curry leaves.

Let them cook for a few seconds, then pour this tempering over the rasam base prepared earlier. This will give a pleasant aroma and flavor to the rasam.

Step 5: Squeeze in lemon juice

Now that the rasam is almost ready, it’s time to add the star ingredient – lemon juice. Squeeze the juice of a lemon and add it to the rasam. Stir well to incorporate the lemon juice evenly. The tanginess of the lemon will balance the flavors of the spices and create a refreshing taste.

Step 6: Garnish and serve

To make your lemon rasam visually appealing, garnish it with fresh coriander leaves. This will add a pop of color and enhance the taste. Your delicious lemon rasam is now ready to be served. It pairs well with steamed rice or can be a hot soup.

Variations

1. Tomato Lemon Rasam

If you love the combination of tomatoes and lemon, try making tomato lemon rasam. In this variation, you can increase the quantity of tomatoes and reduce the tamarind. The tanginess of the tomatoes will complement the lemon juice, giving the rasam a unique and tangy flavor.

2. Pineapple Lemon Rasam

Pineapple lemon rasam is the perfect choice for those who like a fruity twist in their rasam. Simply add some pineapple chunks to the rasam base while cooking the tomatoes.

The sweetness of the pineapple combined with the tanginess of lemon will create a delicious and refreshing flavor.

3. Coconut Lemon Rasam

If you enjoy coconut’s rich and creamy taste, try making coconut lemon rasam. In this variation, substitute some water with coconut milk while preparing the rasam base.

Adding coconut milk will give the rasam a creamy texture and a subtle hint of sweetness, which pairs well with the tanginess of the lemon.

Tips

• Adjust the spiciness of the rasam by increasing or decreasing the quantity of green chilies and red chili powder according to your preference.
• Make sure to cook the lentils until they are soft and mushy for a smooth and creamy texture.
• For a more robust flavor, allow the rasam to simmer for a few more minutes after adding the lemon juice.
• Experiment with different spices and herbs to customize the taste of your lemon rasam.

Lemon rasam is a delightful South Indian dish that combines the tanginess of lemon and the aromatic flavors of spices. It is delicious and acts as a natural remedy for cough and cold.

Following the easy steps outlined in this article, you can prepare a lip-smacking lemon rasam that will tantalize your taste buds. Don’t be afraid to experiment with variations and garnishes to make it your own.

So go ahead, try this recipe, and enjoy the refreshing flavors of lemon rasam!