Tomato Rasam

Ingredients

 * 1 cup yellow lentil (tuar dal)
 * ½ cup tamarind water
 * 1 cup tomato purée
 * ½ tsp ginger-garlic paste
 * ½ tsp mustard seeds
 * 1 tsp cumin seeds
 * ½ tsp turmeric powder
 * ¼ tsp black pepper powder
 * ½ tsp red chilli powder
 * 3 tbsp curry leaves (chopped)
 * 2 tbsp vegetable oil
 * salt to taste

Directions

 * 1) Put the lentils in a pressure pan with turmeric and 3½ cups of water.
 * 2) You can pressure cook it or bring it boil and let it cook over medium heat until tender (about half an hour).
 * 3) Keep aside  heat oil in a pan.
 * 4) Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds and let it splutter.
 * 5) Add red chilli powder, pepper powder, salt, tomato purée, ginger-garlic paste and cook for 4 minutes.
 * 6) Add tamarind water and 2 tbsp Kadi patta. Stir well.
 * 7) Bring it boil, reduce the heat and cook for 2 minutes.
 * 8) Blend the lentils in electric blender.
 * 9) Add it to the above puree.
 * 10) Also add 2-3 cups water and bring it to boil.
 * 11) Serve hot. Garnish with curry leaves (kadi patta).