Pineapple Rasam

Pineapple rasam is truly a refreshing and novel take on traditional rasam. Rasam is a popular South Indian dish that is typically prepared using tamarind juice and various other seasonings.  The pineapple adds some serious tanginess to rasam as well as giving it a distinctive fruity aroma and flavoring. Pineapple is one of those fruits that can significantly alter a dish (pineapple pizza is still one of the most controversial and divisive foods available) but you won’t regret including it in your rasam.

Health Benefits

The key ingredient in this rasam is the mighty pineapple. If the mango is the king of fruits, then the pineapple is surely the dark knight. That doesn’t mean pineapple is bad for your health, it’s actually the complete opposite, just some people don’t appreciate the pineapple enough. This is unfortunate because pineapple is a vitamin C powerhouse, and as such, is filled with antioxidants. These antioxidants work to kill free radicals which can cause cancer.

Ingredients

pineapple slices: 2

tomatoes: 2

rasam powder : 1 tsp

turmeric : 1/8 tsp

toor dal – cooked: ½ cup

salt to taste

curry leaves: 1 sprig

coriander leaves : 2 tbsps

pepper : 1 tsp

jeera : 1 tsp

garlic flakes : 4

oil : 2 tsp

mustard : 1 tsp

fenugreek seeds : ½ tsp

red chillies: 2

asafoetida : 1 pinch

How To Make Pineapple Rasam

1. Pressure cook the dal.
   1. mash the dal and set aside.
2. Grind the pepper, jeera and garlic into coarse powder.
   1. Keep aside.
3. Grind one pineapple slice to paste
   1. Set aside as well.
4. Add 1 mashed tomato and 1 cup of water together inside a bowl.
5. Chop the remaining tomato and pineapple slice finely.
6. Combine the salt, 3/4th of the ground pepper, jeera, garlic, grounded pineapple, rasam powder, and turmeric with the mashed tomatoes.
7. temper the items listed under ‘For Tempering’ in a kadai followed by curry leaves.
8. Add the reserved 1/4th part of jeera, pepper, and garlic powder.
   1. Stir together thoroughly.
9. Add chopped tomato and pineapple.
   1. Fry for 3-4 minutes at a medium temperature.
10. Add the mixed items from step 3 with enough water to adjust its consistency.
    1. Bring it to boil.
    2. Add cooked dal.
11. Top with chopped coriander leaves.
12. switch off the flame and cover immediately once the rasam is about to boil or raises frothy.

Trivia

Rasam is firmly considered to be a comfort food in Southern India