Kollu Rasam II (Horsegram Soup)

The auto industry today reminds me of what the computer programmers were going through in the late 90s when new technologies were leaving COBOL programmers behind. Retooling was in order and everybody took responsibility and moved on. As I recall there was no government bailout.

When the Asian car manufacturers were coming up with smaller, sleeker, energy efficient and cheaper models, Detroit was still churning gas guzzling SUVs. I still remember a decade and half ago people had twitches of conscience buying a Japanese model not anymore, things have turned 180 degrees it would be unpatriotic to buy yourself a Detroit behemoth now. The day GM released its new Hummer model with much fanfare was the same time Toyota Prius had a huge waiting list. What exactly were they thinking?

Like the Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz says how these companies have devised a perfect system where they keep all the profits and we the public - the tax payer is left holding the bag. It is a very informative show on Credit and Credibility. Do watch if you find time

With the chill going on everywhere a nice warming cup of rasam to chase away the colds and gloom was in order. Down home remedies to keep the cold at bay and also a perfect meal on a cold windy day. If you are not in a mood to cook horse gram but ok with roasting it a bit for a quick rasam, this recipe is the one.

Serves: 4

Ingredients
1. 1 1/2 tbsp horse gram
2. 2 tsp coriander seeds
3. 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
4. 1-2 tsp pepper corn (reduce pepper if adding red chilies)
5. 1/2 red chili
6. a bit of red onion or small onion smashed and chopped roughly
7. 3 garlic cloves smashed and chopped rougly
8. 1/2 tomato chopped
9. seasonings: hing, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, curry leaves
10. coriander leaves for garnish
11. 1/4 cup worth of tamarind pulp from about a small chery tomato sized
12. salt to taste

Method
1. Toast the horse gram till it starts to splutter, set aside
2. Toast the coriander, cumin, peppercorn and red chili and cool
3. Now powder the toasted ingredients to a slightly coarse powder
4. In a pan heat a bit of ghee, add the seasonings and when the mustard starts to splutter add the onions and saute till translucent
5. add the garlic and saute followed by the tomatoes till they become soft
6. Now add the powdered horsegram and mix well.
7. Add the tamarind pulp with about 3 cups of water.
8. Let it come to a boil. Add salt, garnish with coriander leaves.

Serve as a soup or with rice.