Charu --Rasam

Charu is a very common dish in our telugu homes. It is made almost as often as pappu. It is a clear tangy and spicy stew without which a meal is not complete. Ofen eaten with rice and dal, but can have it as a soup by itself. Especially craved for when one is down with cold or flu.

There are many versions to charu, and this is mine :)

Ingredients:
4 cups water
Walnut sized tamarind ball
1 tomato
1 tsp MTR rasam powder (can substitute with any rasam powder of your choice)
1 inch ginger mashed
½ tsp turmeric
Dash of pepper
Salt to taste

For Seasoning:
1 tsp oil
2 tsp chopped onions
½ tsp mustard
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp fenugreek seeds
1 red chili
Curry leaves
Pinch of asafoetida

Place all the ingredients in a sauce pan and bring it to a boil. Let it boil on low for 10 more minutes.

Let cooked tamarind and all settle in the bottom and gently pour the clear charu into serving dish. You can also filter it if you desire.

Heat oil in a pan, add seasoning followed by onions. Sauté till onions are roasted. Add it to charu.

Tips: Tomato is optional, increase or decrease the amount of tamarind to suit your palate. Onions in seasoning is optional too.