E-mail : tankasalas@earthlink.net

Brinjal Kootu

Ingredients

Brinjals (small round ones) 6 nos
Thur dhal 1 cup
Tamarind 1 lemon sized ball
Channa Dhal 1 tsp
urad dhal 1 tsp
coriander seeds 1 tea sp
Red chillies 6 nos
Black Pepper Seeds 1/2 tea sp
Asafoetida 1 pinch
Methi seeds 1/4 tea sp
Onion (finely chopped) 1 medium size
Peanut Oil 1 tbsp
Peanuts 1 tbsp
Copra (dry coconut) 1 tbsp (grated)
Mustard for seasoning

Method

1. Dry Fry the channa dhal, urad dhal, red chillies, pepper, asafoetida, copra, methi seeds, coriander seeds and keep it aside
2. Fry the onion in 1 tsp oil and add it to the fried masala
3. Grind the masala and keep it aside
4. Cook the thur dhal and pea nuts in the pressure cooker
5. Heat some oil in a kadai and add the mustard and the brinjal (cut into 1 inch long pieces) Fry the brinjals until tender.
6. Add the tamarind (juice extracted after soaking in water) and bring it to boil
7. Add the ground masala and salt and boil it for 2 minutes.
8. Add the cooked dhal and boil for 10 minutes on low heat.

You can decorate the kootu with chopped Cilantro Leaves and Kadi Patta.