Chow Chow Kootu Recipe

No kootu I've ever made has looked this pretty. The mom-in-law made this the day after they landed in Singapore earlier last month. Thank God I had some chow chow languishing in the fridge. Sometimes, letting vegetables stay in there results in good things - like this kootu. 

 Chow Chow Kootu

Ingredients

• 1 chow chow cut into small cubes
• 1/2 cup channa dal / Bengal gram / kadala paruppu
• 
  
• Grind Together:
• 1/2 cup grated coconut
• A pinch of turmeric
• 1 tsp jeera / cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
• 1 green chilli (optional)
• Salt to taste
• 
  
• For Tempering:
• 2 tsp (coconut) oil
• 1/4 tsp mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp urad dal (optional)
• A generous pinch of hing / asafoetida
• A few curry leaves

Instructions

1. Wash the Bengal gram and add to the cut, cleaned chow chow. Add 4 cups water and cook on a low open flame until the chow chow is cooked soft and the Bengal gram is cooked yet firm (about 15-20 mins). Add salt and turmeric.
2. Grind the ingredients in the list well with a bit of added water and add to the cooked chow chow mixture. Mix well and simmer until all extra water is absorbed and the mixture takes a thick consistency.
3. Heat oil for tempering and add ingredients in the order given. Once the mustard seeds pop and the urad dal turns brown, dunk everything into the kootu mixture and mix well. Adjust salt. Serve hot with rice and kozhambu of choice.

Yield: Serves 4
Prep Time: 00:10
Cook time: 00:30

Notes: 

- If the kootu is too watery even after simmering for a while, mix 1 tsp rice flour with some water and add to the mixture. Bring to light boil and the mixture should get thicker. 

- Another alternative is to drain the water once the chow chow and channa dal have cooked. I don't prefer this method too much because of the loss of nutrients through the water.