Brinjal Kootu

Ingredients

• - 250g brinjal
• - 1/3 cup toor dal
• - 1/3 cup grated coconut
• - 1 tsp cumin seeds
• - 2-3 green chillies
• - 1 tsp mustard seeds
• - 2 tsp coconut oil
• - 1/4 tsp turmeric
• - Salt to taste

Method

1. Prepare brinjal: Wash 250g small purple brinjals. Cut into 1.5-cm cubes and soak in water.
2. Cook toor dal: Pressure cook half cup toor dal with 1.5 cups water and half tsp turmeric for 4 whistles. Mash completely.
3. Make coconut paste: Blend half cup fresh grated coconut, 1 tsp cumin and 2 green chillies to a smooth paste.
4. Make tempering: Heat 2 tbsp oil. Add 1 tsp mustard seeds — when they pop add 1 tsp urad dal and fry golden.
5. Add aromatics: Add 1 dried red chilli, 1 sprig curry leaves and a pinch of asafoetida.
6. Add brinjal: Add drained brinjal, half tsp turmeric and salt. Cover and cook on low heat 8-10 minutes until tender.
7. Add mashed dal: Add mashed toor dal. Mix gently.
8. Add coconut paste: Add coconut paste. Stir and cook 5 minutes.
9. Adjust consistency: Kootu should be semi-thick, not runny.
10. Serve: Adjust salt. Brinjal kootu has a rich smoky flavour. Serve with steamed rice, sambar and rasam.