Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   2                    tomatoes -- chopped
   1                    onion -- sliced
   6                    green chiles -- sliced
   6      cloves        garlic -- crushed
                        salt -- to taste
                        tamarind, size of a small lime
   1      small   piec  jaggery
                        ***FOR MASALA***
   1      teaspoon      coriander seeds, roasted, ground
   1      teaspoon      cumin seeds, roasted, ground
   2      teaspoons     peppercorns, roasted, ground
                        a few coriander leaves -- chopped
                        ***FOR SEASONING***
   2      tablespoons   oil
   1      teaspoon      mustard seeds
   1      sprig         curry leaves
   1                    red chile -- broken
     1/2  teaspoon      asafetida
                        ***FOR GARNISHING***
   1      tablespoon    coriander leaves -- chopped

Preparation:

Boil the tomatoes, onion, chiles and garlic in 4 cups of water with salt until cooked. Add the masala ingredients, tamarind, jaggery and boil for 10 to 15 minutes. Season with oil, mustard seeds, curry leaves, red chile and lastly add the asafetida and pour over the rasam. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.