Peerkangai Kootu - Ridge Gourd Kootu is essentially ridge gourd cooked with a bit of moong dal and tempered with a few ingredients. It is super simple to make and with added moong dal, it is a protein-rich nutritious side dish to go with rice!
Add the ingredients listed under "to pressure cook" to a pressure cooker. Cook for 1 pressure release and remove from heat. Let it cool down.
Powder the ingredients given under "spice powder" in a spice grinder or a small mixer grinder on high speed.
Place a kadai or saucepan on the stove and pour the coconut oil in. Once the oil is hot, add the mustard seeds and cumin seeds and wait until it splutters.
Next, add the curry leaves, onions and garlic. Sauté until the onions become translucent. Then add the cooked lentil-ridge gourd mixture.
Followed by the spice powder. Mix it thoroughly to avoid the powder clumping together. Remove the pan from heat and serve!
Notes
I like to increase the protein content in any dish, so I use 1/4 cup lentils, but if you want it with mostly vegetables, use 2 tbsp of moong dal.
If you prefer no onion-no garlic version, skip the onions and then substitute garlic with 1/8 tsp of asafoetida powder.
This dish is best served right away. If you do have leftovers, store them in the refrigerator until use. Reheat it before you serve.
To cook this in Instant Pot: Place all the ingredients inside the instant pot and set it to PRESSURE COOKER mode for 10 minutes. Quick Release and use.