Veppam Poo Rasam (Neem Flower Rasam)

On the Tamil New Year's Day, we have to cook dishes with all the 6 different tastes, i.e. அறுசுவை உணவு .

Neem Flowers- dried - 1 tsp crushed

Tomato - 1 medium
Garlic - 2 pods crushed
Tamarind - 1 lime size , soaked in water and pulp taken
Salt as per taste
Cumin  Pepper Powder - 1tsp
Water - 1 1/2 cups

to temper -
Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
Pepper Corns - 5
Cumin Seeds - 1/4 tsp
Dry Red Chilli - 2, broken into pieces
Asafoetida - 1/4 tsp
Curry Leaves - few

1. In a pan, heat 1 tbsp oil and add all the ingredients for tempering and let them crackle.
2. Then add the garlic , tomato and turmeric powder and sautee well.
3. Now add the tamarind pulp and 1 1/2 cups of water.
4. Once it starts to form bubbles around the pot, add the salt, cumin pepper powder and also sprinkle
    the crushed neem flowers and switch off the stove .
Note : If you are using fresh Neem Flowers, you can saute it in ghee and add to the recipe.

Veppam Poo rasam is ready. Serve it hot with rice.