Cucumber Pulippu Kootu

Kootu is a traditional south Indian side dish prepared with little oil, more dal and vegetables with less spices.  There are many varieties of Kootu like Pulippu Kootu, pooricha Kootu, and pal Kootu etc..  This Kootu is the main dishes during festival seasons and marriages. This Pulippu Kootu is a nutritious wholesome food; it contains lot of vitamins and proteins. ChowChow, Brinjal,  White pumpkin,  green Banana  can be used . You can  do mix match this vegetable s and make this kootu. Here I used Cucumber only.

Ingredients:

 Chopped Cucumber                     2 cups

Chick peas                                 ¼ cup (soak overnight in water)

Tovar Dhal                                  ¼ cup

Chenna dhal                               ¼ cup

Tamarind                                   small lemon size

Grated Ginger                             2 tbsp.

Curry leaves                               2 stems

Masalas

Grated Coconut                           ½ cup

Raw rice                                     1 tsp

Coriander seeds                          1tbsp.

Black gram dhal                          1 tbsp.

Curry leaves    -                          1 stem

Red chilies                                 6-8 nos

Black Pepper                              1tsp

Hing (Asafetida)                      - ¼ tsp

Oil                                           2 tsp.

Seasonings:

Coconut Oil                              2 tbsp

Grated Coconut                         2 tbsp

Mustard Seeds                          1 tsp

Curry leaves                             few

Red chilies                              2 nos.

Method:

• Pressure cooks the Tovar dhal and chenna dhal separately. Keep aside
• Pressure cooks the Chickpeas with little salt and keeps aside.
• Fry the all masala ingredients until golden brown color. Grind them into a paste. .
• Soak the tamarind with little water and extract 1 cup of the juice from that.
• Add pumpkin pieces in the tamarind water. Add salt in it and bring to boil.
• Add the ground masala mixture, cooked dhal, and boiled chick peas to the vegetable water.
• Mix well and simmer in low heat and let it cook for few more minutes.
• Mix well remove from the fire.
• Heat the coconut oil, add all seasoning ingredients. Fry it and add it to the Kootu.

Tip: 

You can add Peanuts,  Dry green peas  or white peas.. All should be soaked  for about 5 to 6 hours and cook well and add to the Kootu.