Beetroot Kootu with Chana Dal/Kadalai Paruppu

Beetroot kootu is a very nutritious and healthy dish that can be served with either white rice or with rotis or any Indian bread. Kootu is a very traditional food served in Tamil Nadu as a part of lunch menu and no feast (virundhu) is complete without kootu. Kootu is nothing but cooking vegetables and dals together and finally tempering them. Kootu can be done with different combination of vegetables and dals. Beetroot kootu is mostly done with moong dal, here I have done it with chana dal just like my mom. Check out the other kootu varieties here.

Here’s how to make Beetroot Kootu with step by step photos…

Ingredients

Beetroot	2 [Peeled & chopped to small pieces]
Chana dal/Kadalai Paruppu	½ cup
Onion	1 finely chopped
Mustard seeds	½ tsp
Cumin seeds	½ tsp
Dry red chillies	2
Oil	2 tsp
Salt	As needed
Curry leaves	5-6 leaves

To Grind

Grated coconut	3 tbsp
Cumin seeds	1 tsp
Green chillies	2
Black Pepper corns	6

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 25 minutes 

Serves: 4 to 6
Author: Priya Anandakumar

Other kootu varieties that might interest you...
Agathi Keerai Kootu/Agathi Keerai Paasi Paruppu Kootu
Thiruvathirai Kootu/7 Kai Kootu/7 Kari Kootu
Ponnankanni Keerai Kootu
Zucchhini/Courgette Kootu
Ridgegourd Kootu/Peerkangai Kootu
Carrot & Tomato Kootu
Beetroot Kootu/Beetroot Kadalai Paruppu Kootu
ChowChow Kootu/Chayote Kootu
Cabbage/MuttaiGose Kootu
Vazhaipoo Kootu/Banana Flower Kootu
Surrakai Kootu/Bottle Gourd Kootu
Pudalangai Kootu/Snake Gourd Kootu

Method

Wash and soak the chana dal/kadalai paruppu for at least 30 minutes.

Grind the ingredients mentioned for grinding to fine paste with little water and keep it aside for later.

Pressurecook the chanadal/kadalai paruppu with chopped beetroot and salt, with 3 cups of water for 3 to 4 whistles in a cooker.  

Heat oil in a kadai, splutter the mustard seeds, then add cumin seeds, dry red chillies, curry leaves and sauté them well.

Now add the onions and sauté until translucent.

Add the cooked beetroot and add it to the sautéed onions and mix really well.

Add the ground coconut paste and mix well, let it cook for another 3 minutes and switch off the stove. Adjust the water level according to the required consistency.

Delicious and healthy Beetroot Kootu with Chana Dal is ready to be enjoyed.

Suggestions:

• I have cooked the dal & beet root in pressure cooker, you can cook it on stove top in that case soak the dal for at least 2 hours.
• The chana dal should not turn mushy; it should be cooked and soft.
• Adjust the water consistency according to your need.
• The addition of coconut paste is optional, you can skip that and still they will taste great.

Other Kootu Varities that might be of your interest...
Peerkangai/Ridge Gourd Kootu
Chow Chow Kootu

Cabbage Kootu/Muttaigose Kootu
Vazhaipoo Kootu/Banana Flower Kootu
Surakkai Kootu/Bottle Gourd Kootu
Pudalangai Kootu/Snake Gourd Kootu
Carrot & Tomato Kootu

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