Chana Dal Kootu is one of my favorite dishes when it comes to veg. Amma used to make it in a more thick form along with kaara kozhambhu (Spicy Tamarind Curry). I had done this recipe only thrice at home, my husband never really loved it, so in order for him to like it (or you can say that I want to have it often) I altered the recipe a bit so that he will atleast have it. To my surprise he actually started to enjoy this recipe.
Kootu is basically a dal side / semi-gravy with vegetables like peerkangai (ridge gourd) or chow chow (chyote squash), along with coconut and chana dal. Its very unlike the usual dal preparations where we do not use coconut in them. Usually amma does the tadka with coconut oil for the burst of coconut flavor but I altered it with normal cooking oil and made it more like a curry. Nevertheless it does not lack in flavor and taste. My way of serving this is with white rice and pappad~ a total comfort food indeed.
