Vellai Poosani Kootu | Ash Gourd Kootu

My favorite comfort food that can be made when u are in need of a quick dish to go with rice.I used Moongdhal here and it tastes awesome with the ash gourd.

I used:

Ash gourd ,cut into small cubes-2 cups
Moong dhal-1 cup
Kootu Podi – 2 teaspoons
Mustard- 1 teaspoon
Cumin seeds- 1 teaspoon
White urad dal split-1/2 a teaspoon
Curry leaves- a few
Red chillies- 3
Oil-1 teaspoon
Salt to taste

1. Wash moongdhal.
2. In a pressure cooker container put in moong dhal and cubed pumpkin and add around one and a half cups water and pressure cook for 10 minutes or till the dhal is cooked and the pumpkin pieces are still intact.
3. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard, cumin seeds , Urad dhal, red chillies and curry leaves.
4. When it splutters add the cooked dhal-pumpkin mixture and salt.
5. Dissolve the kootu powder in a little water and add to the pan.[You can also add it directly , but when you mix the podi in water and then add,there will be no lumps.].Mix well.
6. Simmer for a few minutes and serve with steamed rice.

• If the kootu is watery simmer till you get the right consistency.[Kootu is generally thicker than sambar.] 
• It also goes well with Roti  / Chapathi

2008 – Udin Hittu Raita – Prepared with roasted and powdered urad dhal powder to go with vegetable rice dishes like Pulao and briyani.

Bon Appetit…