Kootu with Raw Banana

Kootu is generally lentil or yoghurt based dish with one or more vegetables
This Pepper Kootu or Milagootal as it is called in Tamil Nadu is by far the tastiest and my favourite in the kootu category as the fried urad dal and peppercorn enhances the flavour, taste and makes it very interesting!

This dish is generally an accompaniment to main dishes like Sambhar, Kozhambu and can be eaten with rotis or puris as well.  The dals or lentils mentioned in this preparation can be either directly cooked till it softens or can be pressure-cooked. 
Kootu is highly nutritious because of the combination of lentils and vegetables and is well balanced like most other dishes

Ingredients to serve 6 – 8 people

¼ Cup Yellow Moong Dal
2 Small Raw Bananas
3 Cups Hot boiling water
½ Tsp Turmeric Powder
¼ inch piece Asafoetida or
½ Tsp Asafoetida Powder

For the Masala

2 Tsp Oil
½ Tsp Black Peppercorn
1 Tsp Urad Dal
2 Tbs Freshly Grated Coconut
3-4 Tbs Water
1-2 Tsp. Salt

For Seasoning

1 Tbs Oil
1 Tsp. Mustard seeds
few Curry leaves

Preparation

Dry roast the moong dal in a heated pan for about a minute
Pour the hot boiling water and let it cook on medium heat till the dal softens
Peel and chop the raw banana into small pieces and add it to the dal
Sprinkle in the salt, asafoetida, turmeric powder
Let it cook for about 4-6 minutes on medium heat until the vegetable is cooked

In the meantime heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a small pan
Add the urad dal and fry it till it turns light golden brown
The peppercorn has to be added and fried for about 30 seconds
Grind this with the freshly grated coconut and the water into a soft mixture
Add this mixture to the cooked dal and vegetable and let it simmer for about 2-3 minutes

Heat the tablespoon of oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds
When it crackles, pour this into the dal

Garnish it with a few curry leaves

Note: Eggplant, Chokoes, Double Beans are some of the vegetables that can be prepared in a similar manner