Rasam (charu pani )

Rasam is a spicy and tasty thin, light soup prepared in south Indian style and usually served with steamed rice

Ingredients:
2 cups chopped tomatoes
3 cups water (can use more to make thin charu)
1 to 2 tsp. rasam powder(adjust to suit your taste)
6-10 curry leaves
½ tsp. mustard
½ tsp. cumin
Pinch of fenugreek seeds / methi
Pinch of hing
1 broken red chili
optional
2 garlic cloves
Generous pinch of Pepper powder
Small piece of tamarind or ¾ tsp. tamarind paste

Instant rasampowder ingredients or use any ready made
1 to 3 broken red chili
1½ tbsp. chana dal(optional, use if you like slightly thick charu)
1½ tbsp. coriander seeds/ daniya
1 tsp cumin
½ to 1 tsp. pepper

Skip this step if you have ready made  powder. To make instant powder, dry roast chana dal till golden, add coriander seeds, red chili, pepper corn. Switch off the stove. Add cumin to the hot pan. Cool them and make a fine powder.Keep this aside.
Heat a pot with oil, add cumin, mustard and fenugreek seeds. When they begin to splutter, add red chili and hing.
Add curry leaves and fry for a min.
Add finely chopped tomatoes, salt and turmeric. Salt helps to cook tomatoes faster.
Fry the tomatoes for about 2 minutes. Cover and cook.
Tomatoes should turn mushy and soft.
Pour water and add the powder as needed. If you wish you can crush 2 garlic cloves and add it.
Bring it to a boil. Taste it and adjust salt. Wash little tamarind and add it to the pot. You can even add tamarind paste if you have. Check sourness as well now.
Allow it to boil well for about 3 to 5 minutes on a medium flame. Switch off the stove.
Add coriander leaves, stalks and pepper powder. Keep the pot covered.