green papaya koottu

Koottu, usually served as a side in south indian meals, is a comfort food for me. Koottu is quite flexible: a couple of vegetables, some moong dal, and tempering is all it takes to make this dish. It is usually mild-tasting, and can be eaten as a snack by itself :)

Ingredients
1 small green papaya
1 carrot
½ cup moong dal
salt to taste
4-5 curry leaves (optional)
1 Tbsp grated ginger
½ tsp turmeric powder (optional)
Tempering: 1 Tbsp canola oil, 1 tsp mustard seeds, 1 tsp urad dal

Preparation

cook the moong dal in a pan adding enough water, and a bit of salt; cook till dal is just done, not mushy, still holds shape, sort of al dente

meanwhile, skin the green papaya, scoop out the innards and dice them; slice the carrot as well

tempering: heat oil in a pan, add the urad dal, when it turns golden brown, add the mustard seeds, and when they pop, add the curry leaves and ginger

add the green papaya and carrots, some salt, turmeric powder, some water and cook the veggies till well done but not mushy

add the cooked moong dal, stir well, adjust salt to taste

Serve warm as a side with rice, and pepper rasam, or kozhambu