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Sorakkai Kootu | Bottlegourd Lentil Stew

Kootu is a South Indian stew with vegetables and lentils simmered in a coconut base. Kootu is made with either chana dal or moong dal with vegetables like pumpkin, bottlegourd, chow chow, cabbage, spinach etc. Kootu makes a very healthy and light meal. Usually kootu is served as a side dish to rice, but it goes well with chapathi too.

Sorakkai kootu can be prepared either with chana dal (kadalai paruppu) or moong dal (paasi paruppu). Here I have made the kootu with yellow moong dal. You can cook the vegetable and lentil directly in a vessel, but pressure cooking is an easier method and saves time. Serve kootu with hot rice and any vegetable stir fry. I served the kootu with seppankizhangu roast for lunch and had the leftover with chapathi for dinner.


{ Bottlegourd and lentil simmered in a coconut, red chilly and cumin base }
Serves 3-4


1 medium sized bottlegourd / sorakkai / lauki
½ cup yellow moong dal / paasi paruppu
¼ tsp turmeric powder
Salt to taste

To grind:
½ cup grated coconut
2 dry red chillies
1 tsp cumin seeds / jeera
1 tsp rice flour

For the tempering:
1 tsp oil
1 tsp mustard seeds
½ tsp split urad dal
2 dry red chillies
1 sprig curry leaves


1. Peel the skin of bottlegourd. Scoop out the middle white part and seeds. Chop them into small cubes and transfer to a vessel.

2. Add washed moong dal, turmeric powder and enough water. Pressure cook for 1 whistle.

3. Meanwhile grind the coconut, red chillies, jeera and rice flour to a smooth paste adding little water.

4. Add the ground paste, salt to the bottlegourd- dal mixture and mix well. Simmer for 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat.

5. In a small pan, heat oil and add mustard seeds, When it splutters, add red chillies, curry leaves and pour into the kootu.

Notes and Tips
  • Instead of pressure cooking, you can cook the bottle gourd and dal together directly in a vessel. It will take around 15-20 minutes.
  • Kootu has a thick consistency, so add water just enough to immerse the bottlegourd and dal.


  1. we do make this as well... i know it tastes so yum... :)

  2. Healthy kootu! Looks to good, love these pics!

  3. Healthy kootu! Looks to good, love these pics!

  4. Never tried surakkai,looks tempting

  5. tastes yumm.. nice healthy dish.

  6. That kootu on top of rice pic makes me want to eat it .

  7. Looks yummy and healthy. Tasted must be awesome too.

  8. very thick n delicious kootu,perfect with steamed rice dear :)

  9. Tasty and healthy curry...... Looks tempting!

  10. Delicious kootu.. love it with plain rice and appalams..

  11. oh wow looks so tempting.

  12. Lovely pics Sona.. Kootu looks delicious and sounds healthy!!!

  13. Delicious and healthy kootu, beautiful pics too..

  14. Looks so good... I can't wait to try it...

  15. Delicious and healthy kootu.... Nice pics too..

  16. Delicious looking kootu, perfect with hot steaming rice.. Lovely snaps!


and I appreciate your valuable comments and suggestions.


- Sona

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