Mudakathan Keerai (leaves) has wide range of health benefits. This plant is also called as balloon vine plant. Mudakathan keerai has strong anti-inflammatory properties and it is a well known medicine for arthritis. It is easily available in our hometown, Thengapattanam in India. Usually the leaves and tender stems of the plant are used to make a Kashayam (kind of soup) for treating arthritis. Also the leaves are used in food in a regular basis to prevent arthritis or to mange it.

Here in Minnesota, fresh leaves are not available, but I found the readymade mudakathan keerai rice mix powder (baloon vine rice mix powder) in the Indian grocery store, so I am using it to make rasam.

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Ingredients

• Mudakathan keerai powder ——– 1 spoonful
• Tomato —————————————— 1
• Ginger ——————————————– 1 small piece
• Peppercorn ———————————– 1 tsp
• Cumin seeds ——————————— 1 tsp
• Whole coriander seeds ————— 1 tsp
• Garlic cloves ——————————— 4 (crushed)
• Tamarind cubes ————————— 2 or 1/4 cup tamarind juice
• Chili powder ——————————— 1/4 tsp
• Turmeric powder ————————– 1/4 tsp
• Hing powder ——————————— 1/4 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Cilantro leaves —————————— few for garnishing
• For Tempering
  • Mustard seeds ———————— 1 tsp
  • Dry chilies ——————————- 2
  • Curry leaves —————————- 2 springs
  • Cooking oil —————————— 2 tsp

How To Make

• Grind the tomato, ginger, peppercorn, garlic, coriander seeds and cumin seeds into a medium fine paste using a mixer
• Heat oil in a pan on medium heat and do the tempering using the ingredients listed for tempering
• Then add the ground paste and saute for few minutes
• Then add the turmeric powder, chili powder and Hing and mix it well
• Now add the tamarind cubes or tamarind juice and cook it for few minutes
• Then add 2 cups of water and salt and continue to cook for a minute
• Now add the mudakathan keerai powder, mix it well and bring it to brim of boiling
• Turn off the stove and garnish with cilantro
• Now the tasty rasam is ready to serve

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