400mlstore-bought coconut milk diluted with 200 ml water
2-3cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
¼tspfenugreek (methi) seeds
½tspmustard seeds
10curry leaves
2tbspghee
1tspchilli powder
2tbspfresh coriander leaves, roughly chopped
2tbsprasam powder
¼tspasafoetida (hing) powder
For the rasam powder
4tsppigeon peas/toor dal/arhar dal
2tsp black peppercorns
2tspcoriander seeds
2tspcumin seeds
6-8dried red chillies
¼tspasafoetida (hing) powder
Instructions
Dry grind all the ingredients for the rasam powder finely and store in an airtight jar.
Heat the ghee in a deep pot and add the ingredients for the tempering - mustard and fenugreek seeds, asafoetida and curry leaves and let them pop and crackle taking care not to burn them.
Lower the flame and gently saute the garlic for 10 seconds before tipping in the tomatoes. Season with salt and stir in 2 tbsps of the rasam powder. Cover and cook on a low flame till the tomatoes are mushy.
Pour in the coconut milk and continue to simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring to prevent the coconut milk from splitting.
Toss in the chopped coriander, cook for a minute more and turn off the heat.