Kootu is a classic side dish from the cuisines of Tamil Nadu and Kerala . Kootu is served as a side dish along with the other items on the menu. Kootu Curry is a must have on the Sadhya during any festive occasion in Kerala .
Kootu is normally thick in consistency made using thoor dhall (pigeon peas), moong dhall (pasi paruppu /split lentil) or a combination of the two dhalls . Kootu is served alongside sambar ,rasam and other stir fries as a part of main course .
Today, I am sharing a very tasty kootu using chayote /chou chou /Bangalore kathrikai and channa dhall/kadalai paruppu . This is my amma's recipe and I love to have this kootu anytime . This kootu is mildly spiced and has very subtle flavors . Elders or kids who are unable to take too much spice, this will surely be a treat to their taste buds .
If you don't get chou chou / seeme badnekaai you can also use ash gourd /pooshnikaai to make this kootu.Chou chou kadalai paruppu kootu goes well with rice and chapathi too.
Various other kootu recipes on my blog
Thiruvadhirai Kootu / Thalagam
Everyday we want to provide a healthy and balanced meal to our family and we are on the look out for preparing a nutritious side dish for our meals. This week it was my turn to suggest the theme and Side dish won the votes hand down and we are celebrating SideKaKamaal the 304th week in our Foodie Monday Bloghop group .
Chayote /chou chou is a versatile vegetable and can be used extensively in our day to day cuisine in various ways and the best part is chow chow is easily available all over the world . If you also relish this vegetable like me,then you must definitely try out Chou Chou Kootu and Chou Chou Poriyal (stir fry) already posted on my blog .- Wash and soak the channa dhall in water for 10 mins.
- Peel the chayote and chop into medium sized cubes ; say 1 inch cubes .
- Grind the coconut, jeera , 2 green chillies and 1 red chilly to a fine paste with some water and keep it aside.
- In a pressure cooker ,add the chou chou,soaked bengal gram /channa dhall , 1 green chilli slit, turmeric ,little salt and 1/2 cup water. Pressure cook on medium flame for 2 whistles . Let the pressure release naturally.
- In a thick bottomed vessel,add the pressure cooked chow chow , the ground spice mix and bring it to a quick boil . Adjust water and salt if needed at this stage. Don't add too much water else the kootu will become runny . We need just enough water to let the kootu boil without getting burnt or sticking to the vessel.
- Heat the coconut oil and temper the mustard seeds along with the curry leaves and asafoetida. Pour it over the kootu and mix it well . Serve hot .
Chou Chou Kadalai Paruppu Kootu sounds so creamy and flavorful, especially with the fresh coconut amd spices going in.
ReplyDeleteChanna Dal Kootu with chayote looks so creamy and yumm... I never made channa dal this way with fresh coconut and spices.. will love to try your version soon.
ReplyDeleteChou Chou is one veggie that hardly gets used in our house. Now you are tempting me to get some just to make this delicious kootu. 🙂 Love that this kootu is made using chana dal and not the usual toor dal or moong dal.
ReplyDeleteChana dal kootu looks so inviting. Loved your serving style in coconut shell. I love anything with coconut and I am sure this kootu taste awesome.
ReplyDeleteChow chow kadalai paruppu kootu is absolutely lip smacking.Beautifully captured.I can't take my eyes over this delicious and flavorful preparation.
ReplyDeleteWow Priya awesome presentation, Chou Chou kottu looks very tasty. Love to have it with hot roti's. Chanda dal added gives good taste to kottu.
ReplyDeleteChayote Lentil Curry looks so inviting priya !!! Chanda dal must be giving a nice taste here.
ReplyDeleteLove to have it with some hot phulak.