Chana Dal / Kadalaparippu Kootu Curry

Ingredients:

1/2 cup chana dal / kadalaparippu

250 gm ashgourd / kumbalanga

150 gm pumpkin / mathanga

1 carrot

250 gm yam / chena

1 1/2 cup grated coconut, for grinding

3/4 tsp cumin seeds

1 cup grated coconut

1 tsp turmeric powder

2 tsp chilli powder, heaped

1/2 cup jaggery, grated

salt to taste

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

1 sprig curry leaves

3-4 tbsp coconut oil

Preparation:

1. Soak kadalaparippu in water for 5-6 hours. Chop the vegetables into small pieces.
2. In a thick bottomed pan, add kadalaparippu and cook adding little water.
3. When it is half cooked, add chopped vegetables to this and cook well without adding water.
4. In the meantime, grind 1 1/2 cup grated coconut adding cumin seeds to a smooth paste and keep it aside.
5. Heat 2-3 tbsp oil in another pan, add 1 cup grated coconut and fry till brown and keep it aside.
6. Add turmeric powder, chilli powder and salt to the cooked vegetables and mix well.
7. Add grated jaggery and mix well till it melts.
8. Then add ground paste to this and mix well. Finally add fried coconut and mix well.
9. Heat 2 tsp oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds and add curry leaves.
10. Add this to the kootu curry and mix well. Switch off the flame and serve as a side dish....

Recipe Source: Lekshmi Nair