Poricha kootu | Avarakkai Poricha kootu | Poricha kootu | Broadbeans kootu is prepared with broad beans and moong dal. It can be mixed with rice or used as a side dish.
As rice is our staple food, cooking Rice Accompaniment is my biggest confusion. There are some busy days (well lazy days;-)) when I feel like cooking a simple dish. During such time, Poricha Kootu is one default item, which comes to my mind.
Unlike Sambar, thaala kuzhambu, paruppu urundai Kuzhambu, Ennai Kathirikai Kuzhambu etc. Avarakkai Poricha Kootu doesn't involve various intermediate steps. Poricha Kootu is all about Cooking some vegetable with dal, boiling it, and adding seasoning.
One more thing I love about kottu is, that it's a great one-pot dish. Usually, it is served as a side dish, but in our home, we also like to mix avarakkai Poricha kottu with rice and a dollop of ghee. For mixing with rice I prepare the poricha Kootu in a pourable consistency and add the water according to the way serve it.
Other kootu varieties in TMF,
kottu is a type of kottu prepared with dal and veggies. For spice and flavor, a few ingredients are dry roasted and ground, hence it got the name "Poricha (Poritha) kootu.
If you like Avarakkai Poricha kootu try Instant pot Poricha kuzhambu
Also Try Avarakkai Thengai curry with Channa Dal

Avarakkai Poricha Kootu / Broadbeans Moong dal Gravy
Ingredients
- Avarakkai - 2 cups trimmed and cut
- Moong Dal/ Payatham Paruppu - 1/2 cup
- Tumeric Powder - 1/8 tsp
- Asofetida - generous pinch
- Salt - as needed
- To grind:
- Coconut - 3 tbsp
- Urad Dal - 1 tsp
- Pepper - 1/2 tsp
- Red Chilli - 1 Adjust according to your spice level
- Cumin seeds - 1/8 tsp
- To temper:
- Coconut oil - 1 tsp
- Mustard seeds - 1/8 tsp
- Urad Dal - 1/4 tsp
- Curry leaves - few
Instructions
- Add Avarakkai and moong Dal with 1 cup water and keep it in pressure cooker; cook for 2 whistles
- Add the cooked avarakkai - moong, turmeric powder, asofetida, salt, required water (Add according to the consistency you desire the kottu) and let it boil
- Dry roast urad Dal, pepper, red chilli, cumin seeds till they are golden brown , add coconut and quickly stir. Switch and let it cool
- Add the ground mixture to the kootu and cook for 3-4 minutes in medium - low flame
- In a small pan add oil and when it becomes hot add the ingredients under "to temper" and let it splutter
Notes
- Poricha kuzhambu can be prepared with Toor dal instead of moong Dal
- Carrot, beans, potato, pumpkin, drumstick, capsicum, etc. can be added for poricha kootu
- Turmeric powder can be added while cooking Dal and avarakkai
- I generally soak dal in hot water for 20 minutes
Ingredient:
Avarakkai - 2 cups, trimmed and cut
Moong Dal/ Payatham Paruppu - 1/2 cup
Turmeric Powder - 1/8 tsp
Asofetida - generous pinch
Salt - as needed
To grind:
Coconut - 3 tbsp
Urad Dal - 1 tsp
Pepper - 1/2 tsp
Red Chilli - 1 (Adjust according to your spice level)
Cumin seeds - 1/8 tsp
To temper:
Coconut oil - 1 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1/8 tsp
Urad Dal - 1/4 tsp
Curry leaves - few
Method:
- Add Avarakkai and moong Dal with 1 cup of water and keep it in the pressure cooker; cook for 2 whistles
- Add the cooked avarakkai - moong, turmeric powder, asafoetida, salt, and required water (Add according to the consistency you desire the kottu) and let it boil
- Dry roast urad Dal, pepper, red chilli, and cumin seeds till they are golden brown, add coconut and quickly stir. Switch and let it cool
- Add the ground mixture to the kootu and cook for 3-4 minutes in medium-low flame
- In a small pan add oil and when it becomes hot add the ingredients under "to temper" and let it splutter
Kootu with Avarakkai is not something I have ever tried. Will be a welcome change!
This kootu looks comforting and so nice to have with hot rice
healthy and comforting kootu.. PErfect as side dish or to with steamed rice
I love urs South Indian flavoured dal ..sabji...will try it..but what is Avarkkai
It's broadbeans dear
We too eat kootu with rice. I give vaandu only kootu saadam. It becomes easy to sneak in the veggies.
Avarai kootu is awesome. fiber filled. 🙂
Healthy delicious kootu
Thanku Beena:-)
Wow that looks yumm! I usually make poricha kolambu with keerai. This looks very good!
Looks very flavorful, healthy and yummy dear!
Hi Vidya, I never tried Indian food until a year or so ago and now it is my favorite, love all the veggie dishes and sauces, so amazing!
Lovely recipe!!
hey ,
what is Avakkai called in English or hindi? its a type of gourd right? this is such a comforting and yummy recipe..super like
Love it Vidya, its been long since I made this. Good you reminded me 🙂
Thanks Vidya!
Kootu looks so yummy!..I would like to invite you to my space for a guest post. Please revert back with recipe and pics to kvitakrishnan@gmail.com if interested.
Sorry Kavitha, I missed ur comment.. Will mail u
This side dish looks and sounds perfect for any day. Such a healthy and delicious accompaniment.
Love this curry! Rich and comforting!
So delicious with those ground mixture ..Will try this version soon....
Anything with moon dal is so comforting..loved it:)
My all time fav kootu!! just love your version!!
Idea of using avarakkai in kootu is very innovative... looks delicious!
This looks so lovely and delicious!
My all time favorite is avarakkai, and this kootu is so simple and delicious . Where do you get avarakkai in US ? I never find them
Meena, I buy in Indian store.. Yes it s seasonal here, even I can't find it every time. Hope u find it soon:-)