Trivandrum Vada Kootu curry | Kootu curry Trivandrum style

Vada Kootu curry is one of the side dishes served along with rice and this Trivandrum style vada kootu curry is served in Kerala sadhya. Unlike the Thrissur kootu curry, Kadala Kootu curry, the Trivandrum style is a little different. Here the deep fried vadas are soaked in kootu curry. Generally, all the kootu curries are a little thick in texture and this one as the vadas absorb all the curry, is heavy as well as thick. When served hot with rice and especially rasam, it’s too good and heavenly.

Video recipe on how to make vada kootu curry

Ingredients required for making trivandrum koottu curry:

• Urad dal – 1 cup soaked for 3-4 hours
• salt to taste
• Pepper powder – 1/2 tsp
• for the curry
• oil for deep frying
• coconut oil – 1 tsp
• mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp
• urad dal – 1/4 tsp
• crushed ginger – 1 tbsp
• crushed garlic – 1 tbsp
• onions – 1 no, sliced
• green chillies – 2 no, slit
• turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp
• red chilli powder – 1 tsp
• coriander powder – 2 tsp
• garam masala – 1/4 tsp
• potatoes – 2 no, chopped
• salt to taste
• thin coconut milk – 1.5 cups
• thick coconut milk – 1/4 cup

Instructions on how to make this kootu curry:

• To make the vadas:
  • wash and soak the urad dal for 3-4 hours.
  • Drain the water and gind it to thick paste adding very little water only if required
  • to the thick batter, add salt and pepper mixing it well.
  • Heat oil for deep frying in a wide pan.
  • pinch drop the vadas onto the medium hot oil. make it very tiny drops.
    • wet your hands inbetween so that it is not sticky.
  • Cook it until slightly brown. need not fry until golden brown. take it out to a paper towel.
• To make the curry:
  • heat coconut oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds
  • When it crackles, put in urad dal followed by crushed ginger, crushed garlic, onions and green chilli.
  • fry until onions turn slightly brown
  • to this add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala, potatoes and saute it for few seconds.
  • Add thin coconut milk, close and cook the potatoes in thin coconut milk.
  • Once it is cooked, mash them here and there slightly
  • put in the fried vadas and mix well.
  • keep the flame low and lastly add thick coconut milk
  • cook further for 5-8 minutes or until the curry becomes thick.
    • the vadas will quickly absorb all the coconut milk curry
  • Mix once and serve it hot!