Chayote Moongdal Kootu / Chow Chow Kootu / Chayote Lentils Curry(without Coconut)

This is a simple and easy to make kootu. A healthy, low calorie and delicious side dish that makes a comfort meal with rice or with some warm rotis. Instead of chayote you can also use any available vegetable like ash gourd, radish, bottle guord, turnip, cabbage and i did not use coconut in this recipe so its suitable for diet and diabetic people. A complete vegan healthy side dish perfect for kids also. 

This can also be done with 2 tbsp of chana dal combo, the updated pic is made with combo of both Moongdal and chana dal.

Ingredients

1. Moongdal     1 cup or 150 gm
2. Chayote     1 medium size(peeled and diced)
3. Onion      1 medium size(finely chopped)
4. tomato   1 small(finely chopped)
5. green chillies    2-3no.s(finely chopped)
6. Shredded Coconut     2-3 tsp

To temper

1. Oil  2tsp
2. mustard seeds   1/2 tsp
3. Chana n Urad dal   1tsp
4. Jeera     1/4 tsp
5. Fennel seeds   1/4 tsp
6. Dry red chillies   3-4no.s(broken in to pieces)
7. Hing powder    1/4tsp

Method
Pressure Cooker Method

• In a pressure cooker add moongdal, chana dal, onion, tomato, chayote, salt and turmeric powder. stir well and pressure cook for 2 whistles.
• After that switch off the stove and allow the pressure to cool down.
• Once done, remove the cooker lid and give a gentle mix and heat a tempering pan, add oil when its heated add the tempering ingredients one by one and fry well and add it to the kootu.
• That'st it...healthy n tasty chow chow kootu ready.

Stove Top Method.

• Wash and Cook moongdal with turmeric powder and 3 cups of water.
• When dal is 3/4th cooked ,add chayote,chopped onion,tomato and green chillies.
• Add enough salt , half cup water (if needed) and stir well.
• Cook covered with occasional stirring.
• When chayote get soft and tender switch off the stove.
• Heat oil in a pan and add the tempering ingredients one by one ,fry well and add to the moongdal kootu.
• Stir well and serve hot with plain rice.