August 6, 2014

Kootu

Kootu is a Tamil word which means"add".  Vegetables and lentils are combined with spices and the consistency is thicker.

Kootu

Ingredients:

To Roast:
Urad Dhal - 1 tsp
Red Chillies - 2 or 3
Black Pepper - 1 tsp
Poppy Seeds - 1 tsp
Curry leaves - 3 strings

Vegetables:
Chopped Carrot, beans, Surti papdi, chayote squash - 3 cups

Toor dhal - 1/2 cup
Raw peanuts - 1/4 cup
Dry coconut powder -1/4 cup
Salt to taste

Seasoning:
Oil - 2 tsp
Mustard seeds - 2 tsp
Asafoetida - a pinch
Curry leaves - 2 strings

Method:
1.  Roast urad dhal, red chilies, black pepper, poppy seeds, curry leaves and blend with dry coconut and set aside.
2. Pressure cook toor dhal and peanuts.
3.  Steam vegetables.
4.  Add blend mixture to the cooked toor dhal and peanuts and add vegetables.
5.  Add salt to taste and boil.
6. Finally make a seasoning of mustard seeds, asafoetida and curry leaves and pour on the kootu.
7. Serve hot.