With winter chills getting stronger, we are all in the snuggle mode in our warmest comforters and relish a warm and comforting beverage. And with the mercury is dropping, we know you must be craving some comforting foods and beverages irresistibly now. And with the myriads of delicious dishes in Indian cuisine, it somehow gets easy for us to explore and indulge in them.
So, in today’s culinary trip to the world of comforting winter foods, we are stopping in South India. And when we mention South Indian comfort foods, the first things to cross your mind are sambar and rasam. The flavourful, warm and moreish dishes are enough o soothe your soul, body and satiate your palate in the first spoonful itself. As we have already talked about sambar, now is the time to indulge in rasam.
A significant part of the South Indian cuisine, rasam is thinner in consistency than sambar and made with toor dal, tamarind, tomato and some typical South Indian spices. A popular remedy for cold, cough and fever, rasam is the perfect winter food. A versatile dish, rasam is made with a variety of ingredients and the one we’ll be indulging in today is made with chicken. The wholesome, filling and delicious South Indian delicacy is filled with all essential nutrients and is a perfect accompaniment during winters.
To make Chettinad chicken rasam, cook the chicken pieces with salt, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, a little oil, chopped onions and tomatoes and cook for two whistles. Add either homemade or packaged rasam powder to it and boil for 5-10 minutes to incorporate the flavours in the chicken. Meanwhile, prepare the tadka for rasam. In a tadka pan, take a tablespoon of oil. To it, add a pinch of hing, mustard seeds and curry leaves. Next, add some chopped green chillies and mix. Add the tadka to the rasam and turn off the flame. Serve the rasam in a bowl and voila!
The dish is made with staple Indian ingredients that are found in almost every Indian kitchen. It is also quite easy, laborsaving and delicious and perfect for a filling and wholesome dinner. So, what are you waiting for? Go, grab the ingredients, prepare the rasam, sit in your balcony with some Kishore da’s music and a bowl of this comforting soup and enjoy!
