The best way to consume Cucumber is to eat it raw and having it in salad. As it contains 90 % of water content and helps reducing the heat from the body. During rainy cold season, I would like to always make warm food (or) When I have abundant quantity of Cucumber, I prefer to go for this Cucumber kootu. Kootu is a semi solid curry made by combination of lentils and vegetables. This recipe is influenced from my mother.
Ingredients:
- Cucumber – 1, medium size peeled and cut in to small chunks, remove the seeds if it not tender and soft
- Onion – 1, medium size finely shopped
- Lentils – 1/4 cup (Moong dhal, can be tried with other lentils too)
- Oil – 1 Tbs
- Mustard – 1 tsp
- Cumin – 1/2 tsp
- Urad dhal – 1 Tbs
- Asafoetida – 1/4 tsp
- Turmeric – 1/4 tsp
- Dry Red chilli – 3 nos
- Curry leaves – 1 strand
- Salt for taste
Preparation:
1. In a vessel add the lentils, cucumber, onion, turmeric, salt and 1 cup of water and pressure cook it and transfer it to a bowl.
2. Do the seasoning.In a hot pan add oil, Mustard and wait to crackle. Add urad dhal, cumin , dry red chilli, asafoetida and curry leaves and stir for 2 minutes in a medium heat.
3. Now add the seasoning to the cucumber kootu and mix it up. It is ready to be served with Rice or as an side dish.
Tip : 1. A spoon of clarified butter and Rice mixed with this Cucumber kootu would give a wonderful taste.
2. Also good combo with Indian bread
3. If the Cucumber skin is tender, use it in the recipe as it also contains nutrients.
