A spicy, aromatic south Indian Garlic Rasam with ginger, coriander, turmeric, curry leaves, and tomatoes is the most potent weapon to fight off the sniffles.
As the weather begins to cool down and Desi comes down with a cold, I can be sure -- before the first achoo! -- that there's a request coming for Garlic Rasam, a spicy and aromatic soup that's one of the most potent weapons to fight colds in a south Indian kitchen. It's so effective, chicken soup would turn sour with envy.
I got my flu vaccine at work the other day, after many years, mainly because with a little one in the house who's a germ magnet, I spent most of last winter fighting off a succession of colds. But within a few hours of getting the vaccine, I started to feel rather sick -- a common enough reaction to the flu vaccine. After muttering all weekend and swearing off vaccines for good, I got a good old craving of my own for some garlic rasam. So sniffles and all, I went into the kitchen and cooked it up.
My garlic rasam combines some really powerful ingredients, all known to fight colds and comfort you. There are antioxidants here like turmeric, garlic and ginger. Vitamin C-packed tomatoes, limes and coriander. Some green chili pepper to get those nasal passages cleared. And lentils to fill you up with healthy, healing protein. The spices in the rasam powder also help warm up your belly, making you all cozy inside.
Rasam is usually eaten with rice and a side of potato curry (although I served it with a simple cabbage curry this time) and poppadums, but you can swig it straight out of the glass or spoon it up from a bowl if you wish. You'll feel better, no two ways about it.
For a full-fledged south Indian meal, you can also serve the rasam and rice with a south Indian sambar.
More south Indian recipes
Hannah says
I'm anxious to try this recipe - it looks amazing! I know this site is about food, but wanted to add my two cents to the flu shot discussion. Both of my son's got the flu shot and both later got the flu. I know it can't protect you from every flu virus, however, I opted out of the flu shot (offered free at work) and did not get sick even while caring for my sick kids. I talked to several co-workers who have had similar experiences. The way I see it, it's just another way for pharmaceutical companies to make a lot of money off of people who follow the advice of well-meaning doctors, who base their advice on falsified data from pharmaceutical companies. Just follow the money to get to the root of most problems. Luckily truth usually finds a voice sooner or later.
Lani says
Hi Vaishali,
I made the delicious soup but it made so little. Is there a mistake in the recipe as there is no extra liquid added except for 1cup of water. This is supposed to serve 8 people??
Vaishali says
Hi Lani, you need to add water to thin it out. Sorry if the recipe wasn't clear, I'll take a look and clarify now. Glad you liked it otherwise.
Vaishali says
Hi Lani, I checked and the recipe does include instructions on adding more water as the rasam thickens. You should add enough to get a watery consistency.
Ruth Eisenbud says
I am a believer in the healing power of rasam.... I was coming down with a cold, but have managed to avoid it with this delicious, vibrant soup...
I am not so convinced about flu vaccinations... Given no major health issues.... it is preferable to let the immune system fight off the flu and colds. That strengthens the immune system.... Like a muscle which is not used, the immune system can atrophy, if not allowed to function due to too many vaccines....
I have a story similar to the one you tell about getting ill after a flu shot.... They were giving free, optional flu vaccines at work. I opted out. A friend who strongly urged me to get the vaccine and got it herself, promptly came down with the flu. I managed not too.
Jean Horrall says
LOOKS AMAZING.
Vaishali says
Thanks, Jean! 🙂
shan says
Thanks for the recipe. Looks so delicious. Is it possible to cook everything in one pot instead of cooking dal separately?
I was also reluctant to get flu vaccines until a loved one became afflicted with an autoimmune disease. I do so now to protect her more than myself.
Vaishali says
Hi Shan, you can certainly cook the dal in the saucepan first and then use the same saucepan for the rest of the recipe, but you will need to move the dal to another container until you are done with the remaining steps. So strictly not a one-pot meal, but since there's no fat in the dal, you can just rinse out the bowl or tupperware you use to hold it. 🙂 You cannot cook the dal with the remaining ingredients already in because they would overcook.
Leslie says
Vaishali, I am an RN and I have given hundreds of flu vaccines over the years. A flu shot contains killed virus, not live virus, and can therefore never ever give you the flu. However, if you have already been exposed to a virus of any kind, and it is incubating within your body, a flu shot (or any other vaccine) will not help you. If you get sick shortly after getting a flu shot, you were going to get sick anyway, with whatever virus you had been exposed to. And flu shots won't help avoid illness with any other viruses, at any time. That said, I am all for using homeopathic and nutritional "medicine" to help you feel better and stay healthy!
Vaishali says
Hi Leslie, that's good to know, and from an RN--thanks for sharing! Perhaps, like you say, I'd already caught a bug. Anyway, this homemade remedy definitely helped. 🙂