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February 16, 2012

Sorakkai Sweet Kootu & Paal Kootu Recipe - Bottle Gourd Recipes

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Sorakkai kootu
 I learnt this Sorakkai Kootu recipe ( Suraikai in Tamil, Sorakaya in Telugu, Bottle gourd in English, Lauki in Hindi) from my MIL.Whenever I buy bottle gourd, I prepare this sweet kootu or paal kootu for rice. With vathakuzhambu, it tastes divine. We make this kootu in two ways. One version tastes sweet and the other one is a spicy version. But my vote goes to the sweet version. I love it a lot.!! Try whichever you like. Lets see how to make Sorakkai kootu for rice in 2 different ways.
Bottle gourd kootu

Sorakkai Kootu - 2 versions


Sorakkai Kootu - 2 versions How to make Sorakkai kootu/Bottle gourd kootu recipe
Cuisine: South Indian
Category: Side dish
Serves: Serves 2
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total time: 30 Minutes
INGREDIENTS
1 cup = 250ml
Sweet Version

  • Bottle gourd – 1 no (small size) or use half if it is big
  • Green chilli – 1 no ( finely chopped)
  • Salt & water – As needed
  • Powdered Jaggery – 1/4 cup (adjust )
To grind
  • Coconut – 1/4 cup
  • Rice flour – 1 tsp
  • Water – as needed
To temper
  • Coconut oil - 2 tsp
  • Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp
  • Urad dal – 1/2 tsp
  • Red chilli – 1 no ( no need to pinch,whole chilli)
  • Curry leaves – a few
  • Milk (optional) to add at the end.
Spicy Version
  • Bottle gourd – 1 no (small size) or half if it is big
  • Turmeric powder - 1/8 tsp
  • Salt & water – As needed
To grind
  • Grated Coconut – 1/4 cup
  • Green chilli – 1 no ( Use 2 nos for spicy kootu)
  • Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp , Rice flour – 1 tsp
  • Water – as needed
To temper
  • Coconut oil - 1 tsp
  • Mustard seeds – 1/4 tsp
  • Urad dal – 1/2 tsp
  • Red chilly – 1 no ( full , no need to pinch)
  • Curry leaves – a few
MILK – 2 tbsp, ADD AT THE END

METHOD

SWEET KOOTU
  • Wash and peel off the outer skin of bottle gourd . Cut into two halves.Now remove the spongy center portion which has seeds.
  • Finely chop the hard portion and add the salt and water. Pressure cook up to one whistle.Meanwhile , grind the grated coconut,green chillies with rice flour adding little water or milk.
  • Now open the cooker and add the powdered jaggery . Mix well. Let it boil for few minutes.Finally add the ground coconut mixture and allow it to thicken .. Add milk at the end if necessary .Temper all the ingredients given above in the same order. Add to kootu .Mix well and serve with Vathakuzhambu. Enjoy !
SPICY KOOTU
  • Wash and peel off the outer skin of bottle gourd .
  • Cut into two halves. Now remove the center portion which has seeds.
  • Finely chop it and add the salt and water.
  • Pressure cook up to one whistle in low flame. Meanwhile , grind the grated coconut with green chilli, cumin seeds, small onion (optional),  rice flour adding little water or milk.
  • Now open the cooker and add the ground coconut mixture and allow it to boil . Add milk at the end if you like it.
  • Temper all the items given above and add to kootu.
Enjoy with rice and papad !
For variations, add sambar powder instead of green chillies.


    Cooking Tips
    • Select small, tender, and firm bottlegourds (light green and fresh-looking); prick the skin, and if it's thin, it's tender. You can use tender bottlegourd with the peel and tender seeds. To use mature bottlegourd, remove the peel and seeds.
    • Taste the bottlegourds before cooking, as they can sometimes be bitter.
    • Wrap in plastic cover and refrigerate to keep the bottlegourds fresh.
    • Use them for curries, soups, salads, chutneys, jams or desserts. Their neutral taste lends itself to a variety of dishes, both savory and sweet.


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24 comments :

Rekha shoban said...

healthy kootu!! looks yummy! adding sambar powder sounds new and gives nice flavour!

lubnakarim06 said...

Both new to me...looks yum....

Hema said...

Both the kootu's look yumm, but I too wud favor the sweeter version..

Sumi said...

yummy kootu..sorakkai has a delicate taste of its own..sure it tastes great with cooconut:)

Suja Manoj said...

Comfort curries,new to me..looks yum

Rasi said...

Hav e never had the sweet version.. a must try :)

Sangeetha M said...

both the version sounds so yummy and tempting...excellent preparation !!
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hotpotcooking said...

Both kootu looks yum

Achu's Amma's Kitchen said...

super kootu..i never had sweet version will try sometime

Home Cooked Oriya Food said...

yummy ones...
I never had the sweet version...

Gayathri NG said...

Flavorful kootu, sweet version is new to me and just loved it...

Raks said...

I love it a lot too, its been ages since i made it!

Vanamala Hebbar said...

Sounds good...new to me

Kalyani said...

looks delicious .....

Cham said...

I imagine kootu and vatha kuzhambu that would be heaven! Love the paal kootu!

Aruna Manikandan said...

looks healthy and delicious chithra :)

Julie said...

Very delicious n yummy yum kootu,lovely!!

Erivum Puliyum

Sushma Mallya said...

Very delicious and yummy kootu!

Shama Nagarajan said...

yummy inviting recipe

themustardseed said...

This is a new recipe for me. Looks really delicious. Must try!

shirin goel said...

so delicious...

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Vikis Kitchen said...

Very nice koottu with surakkai. Love this. The health benefits are amazing dear.

Shri said...

Chitra, this sounds yummy and just like our Mulagushyam recipes. I bet it would be delicious with curd and pappadums!

Sakthi's Special said...

Hi Chitra,
Nice recipe,me too prepared it same way :-)