Cucumber curry recipe – How to make cucumber kootu or curry recipe

Cucumber curry or cucumber kootu is a tasty stew made with cucumber.  It goes well with steamed rice and rotis.  It is a healthy and simple side dish made with cucumber, moong dal, coconut and spices.  Cucumbers are very low in calories but high in nutrients.  If you are not fond of raw cucumber, you can make this curry which is a good and tasty way to include in your diet.  This dish is one of the simple curries done in south indian style.  Coconut and moong dal added to it, gives a delicious and good flavor to the dish.

Prep Time : 20  mins

Cook Time : 15  mins

Servings :  4 persons

South Indian cuisine

INGREDIENTS

Cucumber – 2 (medium sized) (chopped into medium cubes)

Yellow moong dal – 1/4 cup

Turmeric powder – 1/4 teaspoon

Salt to taste

FOR GRINDING TO A PASTE

Grated coconut – 1/4 cup

Black pepper seeds – 1/2 teaspoon

Cumin seeds or jeera – 1 teaspoon

Red chilly – 1 (optional)

Rice – 2 teaspoons

FOR SEASONING

Coconut oil or any cooking oil – 2 tablespoons

Mustard seeds – 1/2 teaspoon

A pinch of asafetida or hing

Urad dal – 1/2 teaspoon

Curry leaves – 10

Red chillies – 2 (split into two)

HOW TO MAKE OR PREPARE CUCUMBER CURRY RECIPE

Soak the rice with little water for 15-20 minutes.

Boil the cucumber pieces with enough water.  Cook till the cucumber becomes little soft and tender.  Ensure that they are not overcooked or too mushy.  Once cooked, drain the water completely and keep the cucumber pieces aside in a separate plate.  (You can use this water later for making the coconut paste).  In a mixer grinder, add the grated coconut, cumin seeds, black pepper seeds, red chilly and soaked rice.

Add little water to make a smooth paste.  Keep it aside.

Add turmeric powder and enough water to the moong dal and pressure cook for 3 whistles.  Once cooled down,  mash the dal and keep it aside.

Heat oil in a pan on medium flame.  Add mustard seeds and allow it to splutter.  Then add urad dal, hing, curry leaves and red chillies.  Saute for a minute till the urad dal turns light brown in colour.  Add the drained cucumber pieces and mix well.  Stir fry till all the water evaporates.

Then add the ground coconut paste and mix well.

Add the mashed dal and salt.  Mix well again.  Add water, if required, to get the right consistency.  Once it comes to a nice boil, switch off the flame.

Delicious cucumber curry or stew is ready to be served.  Serve hot with rice or rotis.

NOTES/TIPS

Do not overcook the cucumber.  Cook till it becomes soft and tender.

Coconut oil  gives a good flavor to the dish.

 

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