A petite twist from the authentic South Indian Rasam, this Pear Rasam is equally comforting. The sweetness from the pear builds a lovely balance of taste with the tomatoes and the spices that goes in. With a bowl of white steamed rice, this Pear Rasam is utterly comforting!
What is Rasam?
Rasam is a south Indian traditional side dish, prepared almost every other day. It is often referred to a healthy soup that helps in digestion and cools the tummy.
The dish is often prepared with lots of tomatoes cooked in spices and curry leaves. Bot sometimes even lentils can be used to make it more filling.
On peak summer days, I don’t mind enjoying Rasam as a plain light soup and on cold days, I love it piping hot with a bowl of rice.
WATCH THE VIDEO OF PEAR RASAM
How is Pear Rasam Different?
Pear Rasam is just an addition of bite size pears in the same tomato based rasam. It adds a mild refreshing sweet taste to the rasam.
I add the pear right at the end, so it adds the taste and remains chunky instead of turning into a mush.
What kind of pear can be used?
Any variety ripe pear that is soft but too soft will work. Don’t discard the peel unless you absolutely want to.
I used bosc and red pears.
Can you make this rasam with dal?
Adding lentil/dal makes the rasam filling and it can be enjoyed not only as a side dish with rice, but also as a soup. Rasam is a great meal for days when you catch cold. Typically, toor daal (Yellow split Pigeon peas) is used to prepare rasam with dal.
The spices help to elevate your tastebud and help you feel better.
If you wish to use lentil for this pear rasam recipe, then add the boiled lentils along with the sliced pears and cook for a while for everything to incorporate and the flavors to blend.
Rasam Powder
You can use store bought rasam powder for a quick fix. But for the best robust flavor, I will highly recommend making a fresh batch at home.
Here is how you make it:
Dry roast toor dal and keep aside. Then to the same pan add the dry red chili and dry roast and take it off. Then in goes coriander seeds, black pepper, cumin seeds, methi (fenugreek seeds).
Once cooled, just grind into a fine powder.
Some even likes to add dry roasted curry leaves to the powder. I avoid that step and instead add a lot of fresh curry leaves while making rasam.
What other ingredients needed to prepare Pear Rasam ?
Apart from Rasam powder, you will need
- Tomatoes
- Pears
- Garlic
- Asafoetida (hing)
- Turmeric
- Black mustard seeds
- tamarind
- Cilantro leaves
- Curry leaves
Once you have the rasam powder ready, making this spicy soup is super easy and quick. Depending on how you want to serve this pear rasam, you can keep the consistency very soupy or concentrated with texture.
Enjoy it with rice or idli or enjoy as soup with some roasted papadum.
Rasam with Pear
Ingredients
for rasam powder
- 1 tablespoons toor daal
- 1 dry red chili
- 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- ¼ teaspoon methi (fenugreek seeds)
rest of the ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 3 big size tomatoes (finely chopped)
- 2 pears (sliced into bite side chunks)
- 3 big garlic cloves (finely chopped)
- ½ teaspoon asafoetida
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
- ½ teaspoon sugar (helps to enhance the flavor of the spices)
- 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
- 1 tablespoon tamarind paste (add more if you prefer it tangier)
- Few fresh curry leaves
- Finely chopped cilantro leaves to add at the end
Instructions
- Prepare the rasam powder by dry roasting everything and then
grind into powder. - In a heavy bottom wok or pan, pour the oil. Once the oil
heats up, sprinkle the mustard seeds and curry leaves along with garlic. - Stir around for a few seconds and then add the asafoetida along
with tomatoes. Season with salt and add the turmeric plus sugar. - Cook the tomatoes for 2 minutes, then add the rasam powder.
Cook for 5 minutes, or until the raw smell is gone. The tomato should cook down and get mushy. - Add water as per your liking and consistency also season with
a bit more salt. Scatter the sliced pears along with tamarind paste. - Let it simmer for 5 minutes. Check for salt and add more if needed.
- Finally, add the finely chopped cilantro leaves and enjoy
pear rasam hot.
Notes
Can you make this rasam with dal?
Adding lentil/dal makes the rasam filling, and it can be enjoyed not only as a side dish with rice, but also as a soup. Rasam is a great meal for days when you catch a cold. Typically, toor daal (yellow split Pigeon peas) is used to prepare rasam with dal. The spices help to elevate your tastebud and help you feel better. If you wish to use lentil for this pear rasam recipe, then add the boiled lentils along with the sliced pears and cook for a while for everything to incorporate and the flavors to blend.Nutrition
Manu
Hi again Kankana! I have an award waiting for you! You can collect it here: http://www.manusmenu.com/orange-fennel-and-black-olive-salad <3
Sandra's Easy Cooking
What a delicious looking soup..never try this before, but sure looks tempting! Amazing photography Kankana!
Kelly
This is so interesting and delicious looking - I don't combine tomato and pear often but in this soup, coupled with the Indian herbs, it's the perfect pairing - just love this!
Maris (In Good Taste)
Such amazing pictures!
Kitchen Belleicious
That looks so comforting and warm and inviting and simply delicious! what a great idea and the pictures really express just how good it must be!
nisha
wow seriously? with pear? thats really interesting
Vijitha
Gorgeous looking rasam. Thanks for introducing Divya and her blog.
Radhika
Pear in Rasam, what an interesting combination!
Pear is often forgotten amidst the rush of summer berries and stone fruits.. Glad to see it in new light kankana and Divya..
Tiffany
This soup looks great! So many awesome spices and I love that it includes tamarind! 😀
Vimitha
Thats a very different one and lovely clicks as usual.
Aldy @ Al Dente Gourmet
Oh-My-Word...This soup looks deliciously gooooood, Kankana! What a wonderful and interesting combination. Love it! I so wish I could have some of your soup right now 🙂 Thanks for introducing Divya's site.
Hugs,
Aldy.
Angie@Angiesrecipes
This looks so tasty! Pear and tomato together in a soup...that's unique!
Natalie
This sounds delicious, I love the idea of the pear in there to sweeten it up, unusual! Thanks for the rasam powder recipe too, I'm going to check out Divya's blog now...
Reem
Such a colorful recipe.. I love rasam but adding pears is definitely a wonderful twist. Thanks dear.
sayantani
I could have never thought of this combination but looks fantastic...thanks for introducing Divya.
Manu
Heading over to Divya's site immediately, but first let me tell you that this is an awesome recipe!!! One I cannot wait to try! And what beatiful pictures Kankana! 🙂
Jeno @ Week Nite Meals
Such vibrant colors and so many interesting spices, I bet this soup is delicious!
Radhika @ foodfor7stages
Thanks for introducing Divya and her blog. I should try this rasam pretty soon.
And I loved your pictures.
chinmayie @ love food eat
Very interesting recipe!Looks so tasty!
Jessica
Thank you for introducing us to rasam! This looks like a delicious soup. And the color is so vibrant. Perfect fresh soup for the summer nights!