Chana Kootu

A quick and tasty lentil and chickpea dish, Chana Kootu goes well with rice and roti. If you’re looking to make something nutritious and filling, try this South Indian soup recipe. Adjust the consistency of the kootu by adding water as needed.

The chickpeas and lentils provide an extra helping of protein as well as fiber. Fiber improves cholesterol levels in the body and also helps regulate blood sugar.

Servings: 4
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup toor dal (split red gram/lentil)
• 1 1/2 cups soaked and boiled chana
• (chickpeas, garbanzo beans, ceci)
• or if using canned chick-peas, 1 can, drained
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• Asafoetida powder, a pinch
• Salt to taste

For Masala

• 2 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
• 1 tsp coriander seeds (dhania)
• 1 green chilli
• 2 red chillies
• 1/-inch piece ginger, chopped
• 1/4 cup coconut, freshly grated or dried
• 1 cup cilantro (coriander leaves), chopped

For Seasoning

• 2 tsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp mustard seeds (rai)
• Asafoetida powder (hing), a pinch

Preparation

1. Cook the yellow lentils in the pressure cooker with 2 cups water and turmeric powder for about 5 whistles (10-12 minutes).
2. In a blender, add the cumin, coriander, green and red chiilies, ginger, coconut and cilantro and grind into a slightly coarse paste and set aside.
3. Add the chickpeas along with salt, turmeric, and 2 cups of water to a saucepan and cook on medium heat for 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the ground kootu masala and stir well. Let it cook on medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes until the raw flavor of the masala is gone.
5. Mash the cooked toor dal and add it to the chana kootu. As water as needed along with salt as needed.
6. Heat the oil in a small pan for seasoning. Add the asafoetida powder and mustard seeds. Let the seeds pop and pour the seasoning over the kootu.
7. Cover and let the chana kootu come to a boil. Remove from heat.
8. Serve the chana kootu with plain rice and pappadums or with roti.

Category: Dals and Soups - Members, Dals and Soups - No-Onion No-Garlic - Members, Vegan Dals and Soups - Members