Thani koottu is usually made during Sankranti or Sumangali Prarthanai , as one of the many dishes to be offered as an offering to the diety . Usually five different koottus with the same base is made during Sankranthi . The wonderful combination of jaggery and tamarind makes this dish standout . A host of vegetables taste well , when made into this dish. Usually country vegetables are preferred . Clusterbeans. Runner beans , Plantains , Brinjals , Chayote squash , French beans ,plantain flower can be used to make this dish. This is a Thanjavur speciality .
Ingredients
- Tamarind as big as a orange .
- To be powdered
- Dried Red Chilies 16 to 18
- Coriander seeds One and half tablespoons
- Chana dal (Bengal gram dal)3 teaspoons
- Urad dal ( Blackgram dal )3 teaspoons
- Black Pepper corns one fourth of a teaspoon
- Oil 4 teaspoons
- Seasoning
- Oil (preferably Sesame ) 1/4 cup
- Mustard 3 teaspoons
- Urad dal 3 teaspoons
- Grated coconut half a cup
- Vegetables chopped 2 cups
- Tamarind as big as a orange .
- Salt One and half teaspoon
- Jaggery 40 gms
- Hing /Asafoetida 1/2 teaspoon
- Curry leaves few
- Turmeric Powder 1/2 teaspoon
- Rice flour 2 tablespoons ( optional)
Method
- Chop the vegetables of your choice, into medium size cubes .
- Soak the tamarind in 4 cups of water .
- In a Kadai or Cheenachatti , add oil for powdering the spices . Add the ingredients one by one and shallow fry to light brown .
- Powder them to a smooth paste adding a little water .
- In the same kadai , add oil for seasoning and heat it . Add mustard , when it crackles , add urad dal and coconut and shallow fry for a 30 seconds .
- Add the chopped vegetables . Stir .
- Squeeze the tamarind well and make a thick tamarind water . Add to the kadai along with salt , hing , curry leaves and turmeric powder .
- Let it boil well . Keep the heat in medium flame . Once the tamarind has reduced and the vegetables are cooked well , add the powder and jaggery , mix well .
- Give a stir and cook in low flame for 2 minutes or so.
- You can add rice flour mixed with a tablespoon of water , to the boiling koottu .After a minute or so remove from fire .
- Tasty and aromatic koottu is ready . It can be eaten as it is or with rice .
Note
- Bean seeds or other seeds like mochai, double beans , can be added to the koottu .
- Sambar powder can be added to the koottu , if it is made on other days , than the festival days .