1. Chop tomatoes and keep aside.
2. Soak tamarind in hot water and keep for 10 minutes, filter all the dust particles using filter and make a paste out of it.
3. Peel off the skin from garlic or crush it as it is according to your choice and keep other ingredients ready.
4. Heat oil in a pan, temper with mustard seeds, red chillies, curry leaves; add asafoetida, tomatoes and fry well.
5. Now add turmeric powder, tamarind paste, some salt, garlic, rasam powder and mix well.
6. Now add boiled and smashed tur dal.
7. Add 2 cups of water to it.
8. Allow it to boil for 10 mintues.
9. Finally garnish with coriander leaves.
10. Serve with white rice or as a soup.

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Courtesy: http://tamilveg.blogspot.com/