A semi-dry South Indian dish where vegetables are cooked with lentils and a ground coconut-spice paste. Less soupy than sambar, kootu is a staple side dish in Tamil and Kerala meals.
Nutrition & Info
Equipment Needed
Instructions
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1
Cook dal with turmeric until half-done. Add chopped vegetables and cook until tender.
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2
Grind coconut with cumin and peppercorns into a coarse paste.
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3
Add the coconut paste to the dal-vegetable mixture and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
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4
Prepare tempering with coconut oil, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and dried red chilies.
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5
Pour tempering over kootu and mix. Serve as a side dish with rice.
Did You Know?
In traditional Tamil Brahmin households, kootu is served as one of the 12+ dishes in a ceremonial banana leaf meal.
Chef's Notes
Equipment Tips
- pressure cooker
- pan
The Story Behind Kootu
Kootu is a fundamental part of Tamil and Kerala vegetarian cuisine, featuring prominently in Ayurvedic meal planning for its balanced nutrition.
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