Cumin-Pepper rasam

This rasam does not contain tamarind and is very good especially when suffering from a cold. My husband doesn't like rasam, but when he is sick, this becomes his favorite food!

Ingredients:

tomatoes - 2 large
split yellow pigeon peas (toor dal) - 1 tbsp
whole black pepper - 1 tsp
cumin seeds - 1 tsp
carom seeds - 1/2 tsp
clarified butter (ghee) - 1 tsp
mustard seeds - 1 tsp
oil - a few drops
fresh coriander leaves - a few

Method:

Fry red gram, pepper, cumin and ajwain in ghee and allow to cool. Dry grind in a mixer and keep aside. Cut tomatoes and blend into a pulp. Boil tomato pulp and pepper mixture in 2 cups of water. Fry mustard in oil and when it splutters, add to the rasam. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.