Spicy Masala Kootu

Ingredients

• • Bengal gram dal - 1 cup
• • Bottle gourd - ¼ kg
• • Tomato paste - 2 ½ tablespoons
• • Turmeric powder - ¼ teaspoon
• • Fenugreek - ¼ teaspoon
• • Garlic - 4 flakes
• • Cumin seeds - ½ teaspoon
• • Salt - as required
• • Red chillies - 8
• • Bay leaf - 1
• • Cloves - few
• • Cardamoms - few
• • Coconut (grated, fresh) - 1 tablespoon
• • Coriander leaves (chopped) - 1 tablespoon

Method

• 1. Scrape outer skin and cut the gourd into 1 inch cubes.
• 2. Cook dal in enough water with turmeric powder and two pieces of crushed garlic.
• 3. When dal becomes soft, add gourd pieces, tomato paste and half of the raw cumin seeds. 4. Boil till vegetable becomes tender. Add salt and mix well.
• 4. Heat oil, add all the spices, other two pieces of crushed garlic, broken red chillies and pour over the dal.
• 5. Cook for 1 or 2 minutes and garnish with grated fresh coconut and chopped coriander leaves.

Note - Other Suggested Vegetables

• • Brinjal, chow-chow, ridge-gourd, white pumpkin etc.,
• • Tomato paste: Chop and grind tomatoes to smooth paste in mixie.
• • Strain through tamarind strainer (Strainer with large holes) to remove seeds, pith etc.