Pepper Rasam Recipe (Milagu Rasam)
Pepper Rasam, also called Milagu Rasam, is a South Indian soup made with black pepper, cumin, garlic, tamarind, and tomatoes. This comforting rasam is a staple in Tamil Nadu households and is widely served as part of the South Indian thali. Make authentic, homestyle black pepper rasam at home with my easy recipe.
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients
- 3 teaspoons black peppercorns
- 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
- 4-5 garlic cloves
- 2 teaspoons oil
- 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds
- 2 dried red chilies
- ½ cup finely chopped tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 10-12 curry leaves
- ¼ teaspoon tuemric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon asafetida (hing) skip for a gluten-free recipe
- 3 cups water
- 1 tablespoons tamarind paste
- 1 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Instructions
Prepare The Pepper Cumin Paste
- Add peppercorns, cumin seeds, and garlic cloves to a mortar and pestle.
- Crush to make a coarse paste. Discard the peels of garlic.
Cook The Tomato Base
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add mustard seeds and dry red chilies and let them crackle for 5-6 seconds.
- Add tomatoes, salt, and curry leaves, and cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously.
Add The Pepper Cumin Paste
- Add the pepper-cumin paste and mix well.
- Now add turmeric powder, red chili powder, and hing and mix well.
- Add water and tamarind paste.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Check for salt and tamarind paste, and add more if needed.
- Add fresh coriander and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
When making the pepper-cumin paste, ensure there are no large pieces of peppers or garlic, as if they come in the mouth when you are sipping the rasam, it will not taste enjoyable.
We never boil rasam aggressively after adding the spice paste – this protects volatile pepper compounds and flavor oils.
Nutrition
Calories: 50kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 603mg | Potassium: 154mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 437IU | Vitamin C: 54mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 1mg
