Winter is upon us and along with it comes the essential cold, cough sneezing sniffling etc. So at home, I try avoiding medicines as far as possible and look for some easy home made remedies. So far we have had good success with black pepper (Kali Mirchi in Hindi) and so I use it in different ways and among them one is this Pepper Jeera Rasam.
As I understand this is referred to as Milagu Rasam in TamilNadu. Milagu means pepper in Tamil. This Black Pepper Jeera rasam is a medicated rasam and because of black pepper in it is good for common cold, congestion, loss of appetite and even indigestion. (Source)
Even though making this rasam is lengthy process what with the roasting of different ingredients, powdering, boiling, blending and seasoning the effort is really worth it. Besides if you make the Jeera Pepper powder ahead of time and then making this Rasam is a breeze and does not take much time.
This is hearty concoction with good combination of herbs and very aromatic as well. We enjoy drinking this as right out of a small steel cup, instead of sipping it with a spoon (that is how it is traditionally consumed). Also one has to drink it 2-3 times a day to see some effect on cold/cough.
Ingredients
Jeera Pepper Powder
- 1/2 Tbsp Channa daal
- 1 Tbsp Urad daal
- 2 Tbsp Dhaniya/ coriander seeds
- 1 Tbsp Cumin seeds (Jeera)
- 2-3 Tbsp Black Pepper
- 1 dry red chilli (optional)
Rasam Ingredients
- 2-3 medium tomatoes
- 1 Tbsp chopped coriander
- Salt to taste
- 1 Tbsp Tamarind extract
Seasoning/Tadka:
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp oil
- 1 red chill broken into 3 pieces
- 5-6 Curry leaves
- 5-7 garlic pods (peeled)
Method
· Pepper Jeera powder: Roast all the ingredients for the Jeera Pepper powder one after the other and keep aside. After it is cooled grind the ingredients to a coarse powder. Store in airtight container. This powder can be re-used many times.
· Boil about 3-4 cups of water in a vessel and then add the tomatoes (along with the skin, with one slit on each of them).
· Boil until the skin of the tomato wrinkles and the tomato is cooked. Keep aside.
· When it is slightly cooled, remove the skin from the cooked tomatoes.
· There are 2 options here. A) To pulse this tomato in a blender along with cooked water and make a thick even paste or to b) mash the cooked tomato with hand removing all lumps along with cooked water. The later version will not be thick.
· I followed the first method as we like our rasam thick and also we like having it with rice.
· Now add 2 tsp of Pepper Jeera powder, salt, tamarind juice to this tomato paste and boil for 3-5 minutes.
· Meanwhile heat oil in a pan for the seasoning. Add mustard seeds and allow them to splutter and then add crushed garlic pods, curry leaves and red chilli.
· Add this to the hot rasam, add the chopped coriander leaves and cover it with a lid.
Serve hot with plain white rice or drink it hot as is after serving in cups.
I have a bad cold and fever, would love to have it if somebody makes it for me. Amma always made pepper rasam when we had a cold or cough.
Mmmmmmmmmm i can have this in glass now.. I am so much tempted and pictures are gorgeous.
Sounds perfect to sip on these cold winter nights. Am always for anything spicy … this looks perfect RC! 🙂
Just need some hot rice to finish this lovely rasam!
Perfect for this weather….:)
looks really comforting..
My husband makes this (only) dish very well. It is perfect for this chilly weather. Lovely pics.
perfect for this weather .. will try this now … i have severe cold …… thanks for posting ……….
Perfect for this cold….Looks delicious!!
Thank you all.
Cilantro, Kalyani,I hope you feel better soon. Hugs
NOTHING TO BEAT THIS RIGHT?? Perfect for the chills !!
Supriya, I’m also a big fan of black pepper for cough & colds so I use it liberally in my most preparations but I’ve never tried my hands on making Rasam(don’t be surprised I’m from north) but I like this recipe & I’m sure it’s gonna be worth trying it at home. Love the pic & that coaster stand for bowl reminds me of my mom’s house she has same ones.
The title of your post had my juices flowing– and the picture is absolutely killing me! Wishing you and your family a very happy 2011, RC!
Hi Supriya,
Here’s wishing you and your loved ones a very happy new year!
May the new year shower all of us with good health and happiness galore! Love the new look of your site; I liked this Rasam recipe, can’t wait to try and beat the cold winter blues 🙂
~ Ashwini.
Your new layout looks fantastic.The rasam and pictures look very inviting…Slurp…
Hi, what a wonderful recipe and a wonderful way to combat those nasty sniffles that are common this type of year. I can’t wait to try this. I was wanting a new recipe to try this weekend. I’m trying to step out of my comfort zone more cooking wise and this looks like a good one. (I’m a very boring vegan eater) I’m really glad I stumbled upon your blog. I don’t know how I’ve possibly missed it for so long but I will most definitely be back. I love that you have an eggless recipes section too! I’ve been looking for good resources for my blog readers in terms of recipes and cooking. I would to feature yours on my blog and blogroll. Let me know if you would be interested because I wouldn’t do so without your permission of course. Thanks again. KIndest Regards, Jenna (www.theplantrx.com)
Just now tried ur rasam … Turned out very good … Had very bad cold …. Felt very nice after having it with rice … Thanks for posting….
both my kids have frequent cold and cough, moreso from Dec to March. My daughter doesnt like menasina saaru very much. ee rasam weekend nalli try madtini…looks gorgeous
Thanks so much for trying this out Kalyani, so glad you liked it and that you felt better!
Lakshmi, try madi nodi. Nimma India trip hegittu?
The photograph has beautiful light! This is a perfect recipe for this weather.
This is yum! Perfect for winter time. Thanks for the post. Love your blog!