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
Vandya
Such an unusual recipe for rasam...I'm really curious to try myself. Love the color..It's gorgeous.
Kulsum at JourneyKitchen
Oh exactly what Rebecca said I saw cherry rasam by Radhika and now pears. I want these rasams noW!!
rebecca
love this I recently saw a Rasam with cherries, thanks for the kind comment to be honest I am tired, pleased when mum in law gets here to cook for hubby
Sissi
Thanks for sharing this wonderful double recipe. I have never heard of rasam powder before! And thanks for making us discover Divya's blog!
tigerfish
I like Rasam too! It's appetizing due to the spice and tangy flavor. Since you have something on Toor Dal, maybe I can ask if they are the same as yellow split peas? I use these peas for Sambar.
lisaiscooking
Tamarind with tomato sounds so delicious. I wish this were my lunch today!
Soma
Bring it on girl! sounds good... fruity and spicy.
Treat and Trick
Such a unique combo! Truly delicious....
Divya
Hi Kankana! Thanks for sharing the recipe on my site! I actually tried it out yesterday and it turned out so well. I couldn't get enough of it. Yummers :).
torviewtoronto
I just posted rasam too and just saw yours now. This looks fabulous I have never had rasam with pear before very innovative Kankana
Marina
I will have to ban myself from this page, because I am sooo hungry now 🙂
elle marie
Wow, look at that sunning shallow DOF, the photos look amazing, of course the dish looks absolutely mouth watering.
Kala
Wonderful series of images. This soup looks so tasty!
Mother's Secret Home Recipes
Rasam with Pears....yum yum yum.
aarthi
Hai Dear
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Aarthi
Priya Sreeram
flavourful, yummy n finger licking rasam Kankana - thanks to u , I found a Lovely blog in Flavours Fiesta !
Satmistha
I love your blog..such beautiful photos accompanying your dishes , makes everything so very tantalizing
Will try this one out .
Thank you for visiting me today and leaving such a sweet and motivating note.....makes me absolutely super happy:)
Ann
Rasam - It sound amazing! Heading to her site now to check out the recipe...
German Mama
This looks so delicious. I love Indian spices and tomatoes.
Nash at Plateful
You must be kidding! Rasam with pears?!! Can't wait to check out the recipe at Divya's space, especially after seeing your last picture. Mouthwatering!