All my life I hated eating kootu though my mother never gave up trying to feed it to us. Then I got married and became fully incharge of the kitchen which is when I realised how easy and nutritious and tasty the kootu is. It has a beautiful blend of vegetables and lentils, not to forget the ever evolving spice blend and a crackling tadka to top it all. So I have earned my mother’s wrath by making kootu more often than she ever did.
Serves 3-4
WHAT WE NEED
200 gms Snake gourd
1/4 cup Masoor dal / Red Lentils
2 tbsp Roasted gram
1 tsp Coriander seeds
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
1-2 Dried Red chillies
2 tsp Coconut oil
1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds
1/2 tsp Bengal gram
1/2 tsp Urad dal
1 sprig Curry leaves
Salt
WHAT TO DO
- Cook the lentils till it is mushy and can be mashed. If using a pressure cooker, add 3/4 cup of water and cook till 2-3 whistles
- Chop the snake gourd into thin semi circular pieces and cook it in water for 8-10 minutes
- Dry roast the roasted gram, coriander seeds, cumin seeds and red chillies individually for 1 minute each
- Let cool and grind to a coarse powder
- Add the snake gourd to the cooked lentils in a vessel and let it cook for 5 minutes
- Add salt and the spice mix and simmer for 7-8 minutes
- The water in the lentils and snake gourd should suffice. If t turns too thick then add water to dilute it
- Take it off the heat
- In a small pan, heat coconut oil and add mustard seeds
- Once it splutters, add the Bengal gram and urad dal
- When the lentils turn brown, chop and add the curry leaves
- Pour the entire mix on to the lentil mix
- Serve warm with rice and ghee
- Enjoy!
This is my post for the Blogging Marathon under the theme, ‘Indian Dishes’.
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing this BM
Bread Therapy 
This is one gravy that umma makes very frequently, but in Malabar style, easy and comforting, isn’t it?
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You know I think all of us realised many things after marriage..hehehe…I love this kootu and can have it for all meals. While previous to marriage, wouldn’t touch it too..:0..you have presented it so well!
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Simple and comforting kottu,never tried with masoor dhal.Interesting one.
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Vegetables and lentil is the perfect healthy combination.
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I know about moms getting mad when we make something we used to hate during our growing up years 🙂 This kootu looks very tempting and homey.
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Snake gourd kootu is my favorite and the spices get into that kootu is little different from what i used to make. Will give a try on your version soon. Looks delicious.
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what a thick and creamy curry – I would love this over a plate of rice!
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Kootu is one of my favourite food which i never fail to make atleast once a week. Lipsmacking here. Lovely dish to have with some rice and pickles.
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yum, ridge gourd is my favorite veggie, I cook this with tuar and chana dal. Yours looking absolutely tempting and just mouth watering. Loved it, a nice change from baking breads. 🙂
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I was never a fussy child and ate everything my mom cooked, but my kids are. Now I tell them that when they will grow up and become parents, even they will have to give same lecture to their kids.
This kootu recipe sound good. Sometimes I tamper my dals in South Indian style and all in the family like a change.
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I have only cooked once with snake gourd and did not like the taste of it but I think it will taste amazing if I cook like your kootu.
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