South Indian Rasam Recipe: A Warming Soup For Heavy Rainfall Season

By Akshara

August 18, 2025

Rasam is a thin, spicy South Indian soup made with tamarind, tomatoes, black pepper, and spices. It is especially comforting during heavy monsoon days as it warms the body and aids digestion.

Ingredients

1 lemon-sized ball of tamarind (soaked in warm water) 2 tomatoes (chopped) 2 tbsp rasam powder (store-bought or homemade) 1 tsp black pepper (crushed) 2–3 garlic cloves (smashed) 2 dry red chillies 1 tsp mustard seeds A few curry leaves 2 tbsp fresh coriander (chopped) 1 tsp ghee or oil Salt to taste

Step 1

Extract tamarind water from soaked tamarind and set aside.

Step 2

Heat ghee in a pan, add mustard seeds, curry leaves, red chillies, and garlic. Sauté briefly.

Step 3

Add tamarind water, chopped tomatoes, rasam powder, black pepper, and salt. Let it boil for 7–8 minutes.

Step 4

Garnish with fresh coriander and serve hot as a soup or with steamed rice.