Udupi Rasam - Indian Soup From Udupi

UDUPI RASAM

 Most of the foodies in South India are Rasam fanatics. My family is no exception. We enjoy tall glasses of piping hot rasam as starters at multi cuisine restaurants before we indulge in a North Indian or even a Chinese meal ! A bowl of hot  rasam rice is ambrosia when one is laid up with fever or cold. Just one spoon of  rasam rice is enough to make the dead taste buds spring  back to life.The noisy slurps of a delicious rasam rice is real bliss. 

One of the most delicious rasams adored by my family comes from the temple town of Udupi.

INGREDIENTS FOR THE RASAM POWDER 

Coriander seeds - 1 cup 

Red chillies - 1 cup 

Split black gram dal - 2 tbsps 

Cumin seeds - 2 tbsps 

Fenugreek seeds - 2 tsps 

Mustard seeds - 2 tsps 

Sesame oil - 1/4 tsp 

 TO MAKE THE RASAM POWDER 

1. Dry roast mustard seeds and fenugreek seeds on low flame. 

2. When the mustard seeds start spluttering and the fenugreek seeds turn reddish in colour remove them on to a dry plate. 

3. Roast cumin seeds similarly till you get a pleasant aroma and remove it into the same plate. 

4. Heat oil in the same pan and add coriander seeds, black gram dal and red chillies. 

5. Roast them together till the ingredients emanate a pleasant aroma and the chillies become crisp. 

6. Remove the roasted ingredients on to a plate and allow to cool. 

7. When all the ingredients are cooled grind them together into a slightly coarse powder. 

 The Udupi Rasam Powder is now ready. Store in a clean air tight jar and use it up within a week.

 INGREDIENTS TO MAKE UDUPI RASAM 

Split yellow pigeon peas/Toor dal - 1 cup 

Tomato - 1 big (chopped ) 

Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp 

Green chillies - 2 ( chopped) 

Tamarind - The size of a plum 

Salt - 1 tsp 

Jaggery ( powdered ) - 1/4 tsp 

Asafoetida powder - 1 pinch 

Udupi Rasam Powder - 2 tbsps 

Fresh coconut gratings - 2 tbsps ( ground into a coarse paste ) 

Curry leaves - a few 

Fresh coriander leaves - for garnishing 

TO PREPARE UDUPI RASAM 

1. Soak tamarind in warm water and extract a thick juice and keep aside. 

2. Pressure cook toor dal with chopped tomato and chopped green chillies adding turmeric powder and 2 cups of water. 

3. Add salt, jaggery, asafoetida powder, fresh coconut paste and curry leaves to the  tamarind juice and boil for five minutes till the raw smell of the tamarind is gone. 

4. Remove the pressure cooked ingredients, mash well using the back of a ladle and pour it into the boiling tamarind mixture, and continue to cook till the ingredients blend well. 

5. Stir in the rasam powder avoiding the  formation of lumps and simmer for two minutes. 

6. Add 2 glasses of water in a slow and steady stream till the rasam becomes foamy. 

7. Reduce the flame and top the rasam with fresh coriander leaves. 

8. Cover with a lid but keep checking till the rasam starts to simmer again. 

9. Switch off flame as soon as the rasam reaches boiling point and starts rising. 

 Enjoy the hot and flavoursome Udupi Rasam in a tall glass or stir well and savour it with steaming hot rice.In both cases do not forget to top it with a spoon of fresh ghee.

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Duke Power Lowers Utility Rates Before Increase in North Carolina & South Carolina

Electric Rates Going Down in North & South Carolina before Rate Increase

It was recently announced by Duke Power that they are going to lower 2012 electrical utility rates for a few months before, the state approved electric utility rate increase of up to 7% goes into effect for next year, 2013. Duke Power had previously sought and received permission from, both North & South Carolina energy regulators earlier in the year (2012), to increase utility rates to customers, by up to 7% in North and South Carolina. With better than expected revenues and bringing current projects in under budget, Duke Power will give customers a little break in the electric utility rate they are currently paying.  They are hoping that this will offset some of the additional cost consumers will see when the rate increases in 2013. 

Also, while waiting on the 2013 utility rate increase in North Carolina & South Carolina, homeowners and businesses will have more time, to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and buildings, providing even more savings against the 2013 utility rate increase.  If you've been thinking about making energy efficient improvements to your home or business, then now is the time.  Not only will this offset 2013 utility rate increases in the short term, it also increases long term savings on utility cost.  In addition, to saving money against the 7% utility rate increase, there is a 30% tax credit on material cost for making home improvements using Energy Star products. There is no better time then then now, to make energy saving improvements to the home or business. 

Here are some of the best Energy Saving Improvements a Home or Business can make:

1. Insulation - By upgrading your insulation system with a superior insulation system like spray foam insulation, homeowners and businesses can save up to 30% off heating & cooling cost.
2. Replacement Windows & Doors - Most energy is lost in the windows and doors of a building structure, so by upgrading to a more energy efficient door and window design, homeowners and businesses can see big savings in energy cost.
3. Energy Efficient Roofing - Metal roofing, UV roof coatings, and many other Energy Star rated roofing systems can lower the cost of utility bills for many homeowners and businesses.
4. Energy Monitoring Systems - Energy Monitoring Systems not only tell you where you are using the most power, they can also identify bad appliances, that may be using a lot more energy then you really thought.
5. Appliances Upgrades - If your appliances are old and in need of replacement, then by upgrading to a new Energy Efficient Appliance can show big savings on utility cost for both homeowners & businesses.

These are just a few ways homeowners & customers are making their homes & businesses more energy efficient. The best way to find out what option is best for your home or business, is to call a Energy Efficient Expert, like MBS & Co. of Myrtle Beach, SC. We have service areas all over North Carolina and South Carolina, so if you have any questions or are interested in a free estimate, then contact us with the information provided below.

Thanks to all our readers for making this a informative block, we appreciate all the compliments as well. Please remember to leave comments, and ideas for new topics, on our Energy Saving Home Improvement blog.


MBS & Company
530 Piedmont Drive
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Phone: 706-951-0158
Website: http://www.myrtlebeachenergysavers.com

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