BEERAKAYA KOOTU

Kootu is a dal and vegetable based dish especially made in South Indian homes. It should not be confused with the normal dal. Many ingredients are included along with the dal and veggies. My Mom used to make kootu with Beerakaya or sorakaya or Bengaluru Vankaya(chow-chow). Mixed veggie kootu can also be made with beans, carrots, peas etc. Today I give the recipe for the Beerakaya kootu(ridge gourd kootu). You can add any veggies of you choice to choose your taste.
INGREDIENTS

• Ridge gourd                    1
• Toor dal                           1 cup
• Green chilies                   1
• Tamarind pulp                2 Tsp(thick pulp) 
• Chana dal                        1 Tsp
• Urad dal                          1 Tsp
• Coriander seeds             1 Tsp
• Fresh coconut                2 inch piece
• Red chilly powder         1 tsp
• Coriander leaves           4-5 sprigs
• Salt                                  to taste

for the tadka

• Oil                                  1 Tsp
• Chana dal                     1/2 tsp
• Urad dal                       1/2 tsp
• Mustard seeds             1/4 tsp
• Hing                               a pinch
• Curry leaves                   a few

PROCEDURE
Peal and cut the ridge gourd into 1 inch cubes.
Cook the toor dal and ridge gourd, green chilies and keep it aside.
In a pan add a teaspoon of oil. Heat the oil and roast the chanadal, urad dal, coriander seeds.
Make the masala paste with the roasted ingredients, tamarind pulp, coconut.
Now in another pan heat the oil for the tadka. Add the tadka ingredients, when the tadka is done add the cooked dal to the tadka.
Reduce the flame to low. Add the ground masala, half a cup of water. Cook till the masala is mixed with the dal.
Finally add the salt, chilly powder, chopped coriander.
Serve hot with rice or roti.
TIPS

• Other veggies such as chow chow,  bottle gourd, carrots, potatoes etc. can also be used in kootu.
• Khus Khus(gasagasalu) can be added to the ground masala to enhance the taste.