TOMATILLO KOOTU / THAKKALIKKAI KOOTU

This is a traditional kootu made with thakkalikkai (Tomatillos), slightly different from the normal kootus we make.

INGREDIENTS:

Tomatillos - 6
Moong dhal - 2 tablespoons
Turmeric powder - 1/8 tsp.
Coriander leaves - few
Salt - as per taste
Oil - 2 tsp.

To grind :

Green chillies - 2
Scraped coconut - 1/4 cup

To temper :

Ghee - 1 tsp.
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp.
Urad dhal - 1/2 tsp.
Cumin seeds - -1/2 tsp.
Hing
Curry leaves - a sprig

METHOD:

Select firm tomatillos.

Pressure cook moong dhal alongwith turmeric powder and mash well.

Grind the items given in "To grind" to a paste.

In a pressure pan, heat oil, add the tomatillos and saute well. Add salt and saute for a minute.

Now add the mashed dhal & ground paste. Pour in half a cup of water and pressure cook for 1 whistle**. Temper with the given ingredients. Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve hot with rice. Goes well with chappathis. A perfect side dish for southindian thali.

NOTE: ** Tomatillos are slightly hard to get cooked even if we cook it covered for a long time. To enable perfect cooking of the tomatillos, pressure cook for 1 whistle.