Thani Kootu

 Thani Kootu

Thani Kootu is prepared on special occasion called Kalyana Pondugal.  Jaggery is used to enhance the taste of this kootu. We can serve the Kootu as it is or we can mix this kootu with any cooked veggies of our choice.  Generally veggies like Brinjal, Broad beans, Raw banana, Yam, Snake gourd etc can be added .  We have to cook veggies separately with salt.  Finally add this kootu and sautee it nicely to combine well . 

Let us see the preparation of Thani Kootu. 

Ingredients. : 

Cooked Tur dal : 1 cup

Gingelly oil : 1 tbsp

Gram dal/Channa dal : 1/4 cup + 2 tsp

Urad dal : 1 tsp

Mustard seeds : 1/4 + 1/4 tsp

Coriander seeds : 2 tbsp

Red chilly : 10

Hing powder : 1/4 tsp

Grated coconut : 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp

Fenugreek seeds: 1/4 tsp

Turmeric powder : 1/2 tsp

Tamarind paste : 3 tsp

Jaggery powder : 2 tsp

Coconut Oil : 1 tbsp

Salt to taste

Curry leaves : 3 arc

Water : 2 cups

Method :  

In a tsp of gingelly oil fry red chilly, coriander seeds, fenugreek seeds, Hing, 2 tsp of channa dal till dal changes its colour lightly. Add coconut and an arc of curry leaves and sautee for a couple of minutes. 

Let it cool. Grind it to a very fine paste. Can add little water to make it a thick fine paste. 

In a small 2 ltr cooker , add 2 tsp of gingelly oil.  Add 1/4 tsp of mustard seeds. When it starts to pop up, add 1/4 cup of channa dal ,. Sautee till dal changes its colour lightly. Add an arc of curry leaves and give a nice stir. 

Add water + Salt + Turmeric powder + Tamarind paste + jaggery powder + Ground chilly paste and mix nicely. 

Close and cook for a whistle. 

After opening, add cooked  and mashed Tur dal and an arc of curry leaves and give a nice boil. 

Consistency should be thick, accordingly adjust water. 

Switch off the flame.

     Separately, In 1 tbsp of coconut oil, temper with mustard seeds.  When it starts to pop, add urad dal and fry till dal changes it colour lightly.  Add 1 tbsp of coconut and fry till it becomes light brown in colour. Pour over Thani kootu. 

Mix everything nicely .

Very tasty Thani kootu is ready to serve. 

In this recipe, you can increase or decrease quantity of  chilly, tamarind and jaggery as per your taste preference. 

If you want to add brinjal in this kootu....  stir fry brinjal with salt . When it is cooked , finally add few ladle of thani kootu and mix everything nicely and sautee it for a couple of minutes. Remove from flame. 

In the same method, we can add Snake gourd, Yam, Raw banana or broad beans with Thani kootu.