Dals Recipes - Lentil Kootu Recipe

Ingredients

• 25g/1 oz/3 tbsp whole green lentils

• 50g/2 oz green beans, finely chopped

• 1 carrot, chopped

• 1 potato, cubed

• 50g/2 oz peas

• 5ml/1 tsp ground turmeric

• salt

• 2-3 curry leaves

Masala

• 5ml/1 tsp oil

• 5ml/1 tsp cumin seeds

• 5ml/1 tsp peppercorn

• 2 dried red chilies

• 2.5ml/1/2 tsp asafoetida

• 30ml/2 tbsp desiccated (shredded) coconut

Seasoning

• 10ml/2 tsp ghee

• 5ml/1 tsp mustard seeds

• 2.5ml/1/2 tsp cumin seeds

• 5ml/1 tsp split black beans

• 1 dried red chili, halved

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Method:

1. Cook the lentils in water for about 20 minutes until tender. Heat the oil for the masala and fry the cumin seeds, peppercorns, chilies and asafoetida for 2 minutes. Add the coconut and grind to a fine paste with a little water.

2. Boil the vegetables with the turmeric and salt until tender. Add the cooked dal and simmer for 2 minutes. Add ground paste and simmer until well blended. Heat the ghee for the seasoning and fry all the seasoning ingredients until the mustard seeds start cracking. Stir into the lentils and vegetables. Garnish with the curry leaves and serve hot with plain rice and beef curry.