September 12, 2019

Vellarikaai Kootu (South Indian Cucumber Dhall) - Vegan


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Yet another signature recipe of my Paati (grandmother) . This Cucumber kootu for me is synonymous to my paati's kitchen and her cooking .The aroma of cucumber mixed with moong dhall still lingers around my nose and the taste active on my taste buds even after so many years. I was so much in love with this Kootu that I would fondly call it as "Paati Kootu" .
A very very simple recipe but has so  many flavors and goes well with Hot steamed rice or even as a side dish to sambar rice or rasam rice .

Preparation Time : 5 mins
Cooking Time : 20 mins
Serves : 3-4
Complexity: Medium


Ingredients
2 medium sized cucumbers
1.5 cups moong dhall (split yellow peas)
Handful of channa dhall (gram dhall)
1 tsp oil
1 tsp mustard seeds
1tsp channa dhall + udad dhall
Pinch of turmeric
Asafoetida
Salt as needed
3 tablespoon fresh grated coconut
3-4 dry red chillies (adjust as required)
Few curry leaves
1 tsp jeera

Method

  • Grind the coconut,jeera, dry red chillies and curry leaves with water into a fine paste .
  • Peel and chop the cucumber into 1 inch pieces .
  • Wash and pressure cook the moong dhall, channa dhall along with haldi and the chopped cucumber pieces until soft and mushy. 
  • (The flavor of mashed cucumber with the dhall is what enhances the taste of the kootu )
  • Once the pressure releases, open the cooker and mash the dhall well. 
  • Add the ground paste , salt and a little water and give it a quick boil . Dont let it boil too much else it will stick to the bottom of the pan and get charred .
  • Transfer to another serving bowl and pour a tempering made using mustard  ,udad +channa dhall along with asafoetida over the kootu .
  • Serve hot and enjoy your meal.
Note
  • The consistency of the kootu will be slightly thick and not diluted as sambar .
  • If you feel it is very thick, you can adjust the consistency by adding a little warm water .

If you would like to try some authentic kootu recipes on my blog 



Chou Chou Kootu 
(Chayote based Lentil gravy)



Avarekaalu / Mochhai Kootu 
(Field Beans based lentil gravy)





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