Mixed Vegetable Kootu

Kootu is a combination of vegetable and dal made with a coconut based gravy. As I have posted previously, it is a very sacred relationship. The vegetable and dal combo are unique and make a world of difference to how the end result tastes

One of the kootu that we make often is the mixed vegetable kootu. It is a medley of vegetables and we make it with so many different combinations. But there are certain rules that I follow. Do try this if you have not tried it.



Types of vegetables - one or more of each category needs to be added. Atleast one required.

1. Root vegetables
Mandatory - potato. Optional - vazhakka (raw banana), chenai (yam), jackfruit seed (adds the best taste)

2. Watery vegetables
Chow Chow, podavalanga (snake guard), vellarikka (cucumber) etc

3. English vegetable (btb, do you call these vegetables as english veg??)
mandatory - carrots. optional - beans, peas, corn

4. Dal - Channa Dal

So you get the idea. I am writing the recipe of how I made it this time

Ingredients

Potato 1
Vazhakka 2
Carrot 4
Peas 1/2 cup
Beans chopped 1/2 cup
Corn 1/4 cup
Chow Chow 1

Channa Dal 1 cup
Coconut 3/4 cup
Green Chillies 2
Curry Leaves few
Jeera 1 tsp
Turmeric 1/2 tsp

For tempering 
Oil 1 tsp
Mustard 1/2 tsp
Urad Dal 1 tsp
Curry Leaves few

Method of Preparation

1. Peal and chop all the vegetables. Add to a pot. Add a little water and cook till it is half cooked.

2. Pressure cook the channa dal with enough water till it is cooked well but has its shape.

3. Make a paste of the coconut, green chilli, curry leaf and jeera by adding a little water.

4. Add the dal and coconut paste along with turmeric and salt to the pot. Simmer for 10 minutes till the gravy thickens.

5. In a small pan, heat a little oil. Add mustard. When it sputters, add the urad dal. When it starts to brown, add the curry leaves. Add to the kootu.

6. Serve with rice and sambar/kozhambu or you can just have it as a bowl of its own (pretty filling).




Linking this to Lets Cook - Protein Rich Food Event by Radhika

Linking this to South Indian Cooking - Event by Anu, Hosted by Sangee