Kootu (Veggies & Dal) with Zucchini and Tomatoes

click and sniff

I wanted to cook tonight but didn’t know what to make: Usually it’s the reverse for me. So I went to my blogroll and perused until I found a recipe that looked appealing, and called for the ingredients we have in the house; in particular zucchini! One of PJ’s passengers gave him a honking missile of a zucchini. It has already gone into two loaves of zucchini bread and that was only one third of it. I used another third of it tonight in the kootu.

(I had to look up kootu and learned from Wiki Aunty that it is a southern Indian term for a meatless stew made of dal and veggies, usually flavored with coconut masala.)

I got this recipe from Shyamala’s blog, called Food, in the Main. I like her insights on fusion cooking. I made a couple of adjustments, according to what we typically have around.

Kootu with Zucchini and Tomatoes

You’ll need either two large skillets or woks, or some combination.

Skillet #1

3 cups cubed zucchini
1 cup masoor (red) dal
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
3-4 cups water, enough to cover dal and zucchini

Bring to a boil then simmer until dal is cooked but not mushy. Set aside.

While cooking the dal and zucchini make the coconut masala:

2 tsp coconut powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp rice flour
3-4 tbsp warm water

Mix together to make a paste. Set aside.

Skillet #2

2 tablespoons ghee or oil
2 teaspoons mustard seeds

1 tsp cumin seeds
1/4 tsp asafoetida
small branch curry leaves
1 chopped onion
1 8 oz can of chopped tomatoes

Heat the ghee to sizzling, then add mustard seeds, cover and let them pop. Then add remaining spices, leaving the curry leaves for last. Then sauté the onions until clear. Add the tomatoes (no need to drain) and simmer for five minutes.

Merge skillets #1 and #2 then bring to a boil. Allow to simmer for five minutes then add coconut masala. Simmer five more minutes.

Shyamala suggests letting it sit for four hours then reheating. We thought it was really good eaten right away, and I can just tell it will be even better tomorrow.