Chow Chow kootu - Version 2

I already have posted a version of chow chow kootu earlier, but this one has a slight variation and flavor. 

Preparation Time: 15 mins Cooking time: 30 mins

Ingredients:
1. Chow chow (Chayote) - 1
2. Moong dhal - 1/4 cup
3. Onion - finely chopped - 1/4 cup
4. Tomato - finely chopped - 1/4 cup
5. Salt - to taste
6. Turmeric powder - 1/4 teaspoon
To Grind:
1. Coconut - 5 tablespoon
2. Cumin seeds - 1/2 teaspoon
3. Red chilies - 1 ( I used a long red chilly so one was enough, if using smaller ones you can use 2 or alter according to your spice preference)
4. Peppercorns - 5 to 6
To Temper:
1. Oil - 2 tablespoon
2. Mustard seeds - 1 teaspoon
3. Curry leaves - 5 to 6
4. Asafoetida - pinch

Preparation:
1. Wash and soak Moong dhal for 15 minutes
2. Cut chow chow into small pieces and finely chop onion and tomato
3. In a pressure cooker, add the cut vegetables, moong dhal, turmeric powder, salt and water (vegetables and dhal should soak in water)
4. Leave it for 3 whistles
5. Grind the ingredients given under 'to grind' into a paste with little water
6. Once the pressure comes down, open the cooker and add the ground paste and bring it to boil (approximately takes 5 to 6 minutes). You may adjust the consistency of the kootu at this stage by adding water
7. Now prepare the seasoning - heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds and when it splutters, add asafoetida, curry leaves and red chilies
8. Add it to the kootu and switch off the stove

Chow chow kootu is ready to be served. This can be had with rice or rotis.

Tips:
1. If the kootu becomes watery, you can add 1 teaspoon of rice flour
2. You can use coconut oil for seasoning if you like coconut flavor
3. Instead of moong dhal,you can use masoor dhal

Chow Chow Pachadi (Raita)

Here is a very simple recipe with chayote squash (chow chow or bangalore Kathrikai as we call it back home). I never thought this vegetable in raita, until I saw this recipe in one of the cookery shows and definitely wanted to give it a a try. It really came out very well.


Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Serves: 3-4 
Ingredient:
1. Chow Chow (Chayote Squash) - 1
2. Grated Coconut - 3 tablespoon
3. Red chilies - 3
4. Cumin seeds - 1/2 tablespoon
5. Mustard seeds - 1/2 teaspoon
6. Curry leaves - 2 to 3
7. Curd - 4-5 tablespoon
8. Turmeric powder - a pinch
9. Oil - 1 tablespoon
10. Salt - to taste
11. Curry leaves - 3 to 4

Preparation:
1. Peel the skin and grate the squash finely.
2. Cook it with little water for 6-8 minutes in the microwave or stove
3. Meanwhile, make a fine paste of coconut, red chilies and cumin seeds and little water.
4. Add this paste to the cooked squash and cook it again for 4-5 minutes in microwave or stove.
5. Add the required salt and curd.
6. Season it with mustard seeds, turmeric powder and curry leaves.


Serve it with any rice. It would be a nice combination with any pulav and briyani as a variation from regular onion raita.