The monsoon season brings a refreshing change in weather, providing much-needed relief from the scorching summer heat. As the rain pours down and the cool breeze sets in, it's the perfect time to indulge in comforting and soul-warming meals. Among the delightful culinary delights that embrace the monsoon vibe, soups are the quintessential choice for a cosy and satisfying dining experience. Whether you're seeking respite from the rain or simply looking to relish the season's flavours, here are some delectable soups that will make your monsoon evenings delightful.
Rasam
A popular delicacy in South India, Rasam is a type of tomato soup served with a traditional thali comprising dishes like rice, sambar, sabzi and papad. This must-add side dish on a South Indian platter is also considered a perfect home remedy against monsoon-related ailments such as the common flu. While it comes in many varieties, the best way to savour it is to slurp while it's hot. With ingredients like turmeric, chilli pepper, garlic, curry leaves, and mustard, the soup is an ideal way to fight monsoon sickness.
Mulligatawny Soup
Another famous soup from the South, Mulligatawny, is a variation of Rasam and is said to have originated around the end of the 18th century in Tamil Nadu (then Madras). The name is inspired by a Tamil word, 'milagu' meaning pepper, and 'tanni,' meaning water. These two components are prime ingredients in the thick-textured broth, also containing chicken/mutton or vegetables. The curry soup can be savoured and sipped simultaneously with additional ingredients like coconut milk, cinnamon, cloves, and black peppercorn.
Kairiche Saar
The tangy-sweet soup is popular in Maharashtra. With raw mango as the main ingredient, the soup is largely found in the Konkan region of the state. Though the authentic way to relish this soup-curry is with rice, on a rainy day, it works as a perfect potion. Other ingredients that enhance its flavour include coconut milk, jaggery and spices.
Tomato Saar
If you are not a raw mango fan, opt for tomato saar, another variation of Maharashtra's Kairiche Saar. The tangy soup curry is a mix of tomato pulp, tamarind, mustard seeds and curry leaves. Enjoy the soup while it's hot, and get the monsoon feels.
Yakhni Shorba
Meaning broth or soup, Yakhni Shorba is a mutton soup commonly prepared in Kashmir. It is an ideal comfort food during monsoons and winters when the weather is breezy and cold. The flavour-packed mutton pieces are said to cure people suffering from cold or sore throat.
Cover photo Rasam/Shutterstock
