Bottlegourd Kootu

Kootu is such a simple, quick and healthy preparation. They can be done with a mix of vegetables or even a single vegetable. 

Kootu tastes amazing when the masala is roasted and prepared fresh. I had posted a recipe of that here.You can also prepare kootu in matter of minutes using sambar powder, the recipe of which is given below.

Ingredients

1/2 cup dal of your choice (toor dal/ chana dal/ moong dal)

2 cups cubed bottlegourd

1 ts sambar powder

1/4 ts turmeric powder

Handful of chopped coriander leaves

To grind

3 ts grated coconut

1 ts cumin seed

2 green chillies (optional)

2 ts pottu kadalai (optional)

Grind these ingredients together with very little water

To temper

1 ts mustard seed

1/4 ts hing

Few curry leaves

2 red chillies

Preparation

- Pressure cook the dals with salt, turmeric powder and little water.

- After the air is released add the chopped vegetables and give one more whistle.

- After the air subsides, add the ground paste and give it a boil.

- Reduce the flame to a simmer and let it cook until the gravy is thickened.

- Add chopped coriander leaves.

- Temper oil with mustard seed, hing, red chillies and curry leaves.

- Mix them with the gravy.

Enjoy them with steamed rice, pickle and papad. They also taste amazing with rasam. Also tastes good with chapati.