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Chow Chow Kootu | Chayote Stew

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Thali, (meaning "Plate" in Hindi) according to wiki, is a selection of various dishes on a plate. It is a characteristic representation of regional dishes. Every region has its own unique menu to showcase and the best way to portray this is in a wedding. A South Indian thali consists of rice, dahl, sambhar, rasam, ghee, payasam, pickle, pachidi, kari (veggie side), koootu, vadam and chips and some sweet and it is served on a lengthy banana leaf.  Among this, Kootu constitutes an important side in a Thali. It is a mixture of veggies in a dahl - coconut paste. Today's recipe is the most popular version. 
Chow Chow Kootu

Chow Chow Kootu

Chow Chow Kootu | Chayote Stew

A popular south Indian veggie cooked in dahl and cumin-coconut paste.

Prep Time: 10 Mins | Cook Time: 15 Mins | Total Time: 25 Mins | Serves: 2-3 as a side

Ingredients

  • 2 Medium sized Chow Chow | Chayote, peeled and diced
  • 2 Tbsp Channa Dal
  • 1/4 Cup  Pasi Parupu | Moong Dal
To Grind
  • 1/4 Cup Coconut
  • 2-3 Red Chillies
  • 1/4 tsp Cumin seeds (1)
Tempering
  • 1 Tbsp Coconut Oil
  • 1 tsp Kadugu | Mustard seeds
  • 1 Tbsp Kadalai Parupu | Channa Dal
  • 1/2 Tbsp Ulundu | Urad dal
  • 3-4 Karivepilai | Curry leaves
  • 1/4 tsp Perungayam | Asafoetida
Instructions

  1. Pressure cook the dal until it is soft and slightly mushy.
  2. In a Kadai, add ~ 1 Cup of water and channa dal and cook until it becomes slightly soft. Then add the diced chayote and some more water and little salt. (2)
  3. Cover and cook until it is soft and tender. The veggie should hold its shape.
  4. Once it is coked, add the ground coconut paste and the cooked moong dahl. Stir well and let it boil for about 5 minutes. Check for salt and adjust. 
  5. Meanwhile, in a separate pan, add coconut oil. Once it is hot, add the mustard seeds and let it splutter. Then add the channa dahl, urad dahl, curry leaves, red chillies and asafoetida resp. 
  6. Pour this over the kootu and garnish with coriander leaves at the end and turn off the flame. 

Notes

  1. While adding cumin seeds be careful of overdoing it. A little goes the long way is very appropriate for this midget seed. When you add a little extra, it might taste bitter. 
  2. Also the chayote squash should not be over cooked. It should hold its shape and also be soft to bite. 

This post is for Blogging Marathon 42 under the theme "South Indian Dishes". Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 42 here. 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Harini-Jaya R says

    Lovely clicks for the humble kootu!

    Reply

  2. Usha says

    Such a comforting side dish.

    Reply

  3. Varadas Kitchen says

    Interesting combination of channa dal and chayote. Looks very good.

    Reply

  4. Priya Suresh says

    Wat a comforting food, serve me with papad, a royal treat for me definitely.

    Reply

  5. Ramya Venkateswaran says

    my favorite kootu

    Reply

  6. Srivalli says

    Only after blogging that I got interested in our Kootus..it has now become such an integral part of our cooking..lovely clicks..

    Reply

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