Beetroot Rasam / soup

There are rasams and there are rasams, many of which will find their way to my blog, but today, it's all about the beet! To my white friends, rasam or even ras means juice or extract of a veggie or fruit. So this would be the equivalent of soup. To me, beets always only reminded me of the mouth-watering cutlets served by the India Coffee House in Pondicherry.

Again making time is under 15 minutes - truly! This is another one of my can recipes. I'd heard of this for the first time, when my sister called to tell me of my mom's passing - she explained that her last proper meal consisted of beetroot rasam, a recipe she'd actually called a dear family friend to get and make with her very own hands!!!

I've yet to get that recipe, but in the meantime, I could not resist trying it on my own. This the second shot at it and I must say, it has been a huge hit with my family - The seal of approval was strong enough for me to put out my version of this incredible rasam.

Ingredients:

1 can of  round cut or shoestring beets
3/4 can of Hunt's diced tomatoes
Note: Both should be plain with no added flavors
1/4 cup of coconut powder or grated coconut
2 teaspoons of rasam powder easily available at all Indian stores

For Sauteeing splutter
in 1 teaspoon of butter
1 spoon of cumin seeds
1/2 spoon of mustard seeds

Garnish with finely chopped coriander

I want some feedback after you try this recipe out - Results will vary depending on what Rasam powder you are using - IF I am not getting supplies from The Grand Sweeets and Snacks of Chennai or from Bhanuma, I make my own powders for all my needs.