Vellarikai Kootu /Cucumber Kootu

Ingredients:

Cucumber - 2 medium sized

Chana dal - 1 Tblsp

Split yellow moong dal - 1 1/2 Tblsp

Black pepper corns - 1 tsp

Jeera - 1 1/2 tsps

Curry leaves - few

Fresh grated coconut

Urad dal - 1 tsp

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Hing a pinch

Ghee for seasoning

Coriander leaves for garnishing.

Salt as required

Dry red chillies - 3-4

Method:

Remove the cucumber skin with a peeler and cut into small pieces.

Wash the cucumber and put in a vessel along with chana dal,moong dal and some water and pressure cook for about 15 minutes.

Roast Urad dal, dry red chillies, black pepper and grind along with fresh coconut and jeera.

Now remove the cooked cucumber from the cooker and add the ground paste with curry leaves and salt and mix nicely.

Take a kadai and season in 1 tsp ghee with Urad dal,mustard seeds, a pinch of hing.

Now add the seasonings to the kootu and garnish with coriander leaves.

The cucumber kootu is ready to be eaten either with plain hot rice with dollops of ghee or even with Chappathis as a side dish.