Soak tamarind in hot water for 30 mins and extract juice with a cup of water.
Pressure cook toor dal mean while. I usually soak cauliflower in hot water with salt.
Gather and keep ready all the ingredients ready.
In 2 cups of water, boil cauliflower, chopped tomatoes, slit green chillies, turmeric and ½ the salt.
Let it boil well while you temper with cinnamon and fennel, curry leaves.
Once cauliflower is cooked, add tamarind extract. Continue boiling for 2 mins.
Meanwhile, powder coriander seeds, pepper, cumin and chilli coarsely.
Add to the boiling rasam.
In goes cooked dal, mashing well. Adjust water. Add sugar and remaining salt. Crush peeled garlic roughly.
Add to the boiling rasam and switch off the flame. Garnish with coriander leaves.