Kallabaela kootu

Ingredients:

Channa dal - 1/2 cup
Onion - 1/4 or sambar onion - 5
Tomato - 1
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Red chilli powder - 1 1/2 tsp
Salt - to taste
Tamarind extract - 3/4 tsp
Kootu powder - 1 tbsp (Kootu powder should be prepared by ourselves, the steps for which is posted in the podi section - click the link to get there)
Brinjal - 3 (cut lengthwise)
Garlic pods - 2 (chopped)
Oil - 1 tbsp
Water - 1 1/2 to 2 cups

For seasoning:

Mustard - little
Urad dal - 5 g
Channa dal - 5 g
Onion vadagam - a little or onion - 4 pieces
Asafoetida - a pinch
Curry leaves
Coriander leaves

Method:

1. Pressure cook the channa dal with a little water, turmeric powder, 1 tsp oil and tomato for 1 whistle.
2. Then add the cut onion, brinjal,garlic pods, salt and chilli powder to the cooked channa dal. Pressure cook for 1 whistle.
3. Add the kootu powder and tamarind paste. Allow it to cook for few minutes so that the kootu becomes a little thick.
4. Season the kootu with mustard seeds, urad dal, channa dal, onion or onion vadagam, curry leaves, coriander leaves and asafoetida.
5. Serve hot with plain rice and ghee.

This is a famous kannadiga recipe.