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    Home » Siru Thaniyangal | Millets » Varagu Arisi Kootanchoru | Instant Pot Millet Kootanchoru

    Varagu Arisi Kootanchoru | Instant Pot Millet Kootanchoru

    Posted on November 5, 2018 · Last Updated on May 5, 2023 · By Srividhya G · 14 Comments

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    Instant Pot Kodo Millet Kootanchoru or Kadamba Saadam – A Tirunelveli special mixed vegetables and lentil rice recipe with kodo millet or varagu arisi as we say in Tamil. Check out the humble Instant Pot varagu arisi kootanchoru or the kadamba saadam recipe with step-wise pictures.

    One-Pot Meals:

    I love quick and healthy one-pot meals loaded with lentils and vegetables. I like to pack them for my lunch and also to parties and potlucks sometimes. Be it kadamba sambar saadam or the bisibelebath or vaangi baath, I love them all. This kootanchoru is one such one-pot meal that I often make these days. Kootanchoru is a Tirunelveli( Popular City in the South Indian State of TamilNadu) specialty, and it is nothing but mixed vegetables and lentils and rice cooked with fresh ground coconut masala. This coconut paste and the coconut oil tempering makes the recipe so unique and yum.

    Recipes with Millets:

    For this recipe, I replaced rice with kodo millet or the varagu/varagu arisi. We did not find any difference in taste, and in-fact the millet and dal combo was really great. We got that soft and non-grainy texture, and we relished it with onion raita. You can serve this with raita or any dry curries or just with appalam. :-) Also, as always I made this in my Instant Pot, but you can easily make this in the pressure cooker as well. I have included the pressure cooker version as well in the recipe details.

    If you notice, I have included sambar podi in the ingredient list. Traditional recipes call for red chili powder instead of the sambar powder. But I included sambar powder as it adds extra flavor. But you can definitely replace sambar powder with 1 to 1.5 tsps of red chili powder for this measure.

    Before getting into the recipe, I just wanted to quickly recap what I shared yesterday and day-before-yesterday under the “Millet Special” theme. It is the Kambu Laddu and Barnyard Millet Neer Dosa. Please check it out if you have missed it.

    Kootanchoru Recipe:

    Now without any further delay, here is my version of Kodo Millet Kootanchoru that I prepared in the Instant Pot.

    Ingredients:

    • Kodo Millet – 1 cup
    • Toor Dal – ½ cup
    • Shallots – 6
    • Tomato – 1
    • Mixed Vegetables – 1 cup (I used ridgegourd, grated broccoli, broad beans, and peas)
    • Salt – 1.5 tsp
    • Tamarind Paste – ½ tsp
    • Sambar Powder – 2 tsps
    • Turmeric Powder – ¼ tsp
    • Coconut Oil – 2 tsps
    • Mustard Seeds – 1 tsp
    • Hing – ¼ tsp
    • Curry leaves – 5
    • Fenugreek Seeds – 1 tsp
    • Water – 4 cups
    • To Grind:
    • Grated Coconut – ¼ cup
    • Cumin Seeds – 1.5 tsp
    • Red Chilies – 2
    • Shallot – 1
    • Water – 3 tbsps

    Prep-Work:

    • Wash the millet and the toor dal and soak it for half an hour.

    • Meanwhile, chop the tomatoes, peel and chop the shallots and cut and set aside one cup of veggies of your choice. I used broad beans, ridgegourd, peas, and grated broccoli.
    • Grind the coconut, one shallot, red chilies, and cumin seeds by adding 3 tbsps of water into a smooth paste.

    Steps:

    Instant Pot Method:

    • Set the IP in saute mode and add the coconut oil. And when the oil is hot add the mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, hing and curry leaves.
    • When the mustard seeds start to splutter, add the chopped shallots and saute until it turns translucent.

    • Now add the tomatoes and the mixed vegetable and stir well.

    • At this stage add the sambar powder, tamarind paste, salt, and turmeric powder. Mix well.

    • Then add the ground coconut masala and gently stir again. Let it cook for a couple of minutes and then add the kodo millet and the toor dal.

    • Now add the water and give it a stir.

    • Press the cancel button and close the IP lid with the vent in the sealed position.
    • Pressure cook this at high-pressure mode for 15 minutes and let the pressure release naturally.

    • When the pressure is released, carefully open the pot and mix the kootanchoru.

    That’s it. The Tirunelveli special kootanchoru is ready. Serve it hot with yogurt or raita or with any dry curry of your choice.

    Pressure Cooker Method:

    • In a pressure cooker or pan, add the coconut oil. And when the oil is hot add the mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, hing and curry leaves.
    • When the mustard seeds start to splutter, add the chopped shallots and saute until it turns translucent.
    • Now add the tomatoes and the mixed vegetable and stir well.
    • At this stage add the sambar powder, tamarind paste, salt, and turmeric powder. Mix well.
    • Then add the ground coconut masala and gently stir again. Let it cook for a couple of minutes and then add the kodo millet and the toor dal.
    • Now add the water and give it a stir.
    • Close the lid and pressure cook for up to 4 whistles and allow the pressure to release naturally.
    • When the pressure is released, carefully open the pressure cooker lid and mix the kootanchoru.

    Notes:

    • Adjust the salt and spice according to your preference. As I mentioned, you can include red chili powder instead of sambar powder.
    • Also, instead of kodo millet, you can use rice or quinoa or other millet varieties.
    • You can use regular oil for, but coconut oil adds flavor so I would recommend coconut oil.
    • If required, add a dollop of ghee before serving.

    Sending this recipe for the BM 94. Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing this BM#94

    PS: Follow me on Instagram or join my Facebook Group for more gardening and recipe updates. If you try this kootanchoru recipe, please don’t forget to comment and rate this recipe. If you have any questions, please leave a comment, and I will get to it asap.  Make sure to follow me on my Pinterest for more healthy and delicious ideas!

    📖 Recipe

    millet kootanchoru in a lunch box and brassware
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    5 from 5 votes

    Varagu Arisi Kootanchoru | Instant Pot Millet Kootanchoru

    Instant Pot Kodo Millet Kootanchoru or Kadamba Saadam - A Tirunelveli special mixed vegetables and lentil rice recipe with kodo millet or varagu arisi.
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Cook Time45 minutes mins
    Pressure Cooking Time15 minutes mins
    Total Time1 hour hr
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: TamilNadu
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 356kcal
    Author: Srividhya G

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup Kodo Millet
    • ½ cup Toor Dal
    • 6 Shallots
    • 1 Tomato
    • 1 cup Mixed Vegetables I used ridgegourd, grated broccoli, broad beans, and peas
    • 1.5 tsp Salt
    • ½ tsp Tamarind Paste
    • 2 tsps Sambar Powder
    • ¼ tsp Turmeric Powder
    • 2 tsps Coconut Oil
    • 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
    • ¼ tsp Hing
    • 5 Curry leaves
    • 1 tsp Fenugreek Seeds
    • 4 cups Water

    To Grind:

    • ¼ cup Grated Coconut
    • 1.5 tsp Cumin Seeds
    • 2 Red Chilies
    • 1 Shallot
    • 3 tbsps Water

    Instructions

    Prep-Work:

    • Wash the millet and the toor dal and soak it for half an hour.
    • Meanwhile, chop the tomatoes, peel and chop the shallots and cut and set aside one cup of veggies of your choice. I used broad beans, ridgegourd, peas, and grated broccoli.
    • Grind the coconut, one shallot, red chilies, and cumin seeds by adding 3 tbsps of water into a smooth paste.

    Steps:

      Instant Pot Method:

      • Set the IP in saute mode and add the coconut oil. And when the oil is hot add the mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, hing and curry leaves.
      • When the mustard seeds start to splutter, add the chopped shallots and saute until it turns translucent.
      • Now add the tomatoes and the mixed vegetable and stir well.
      • At this stage add the sambar powder, tamarind paste, salt, and turmeric powder. Mix well.
      • Then add the ground coconut masala and gently stir again. Let it cook for a couple of minutes and then add the kodo millet and the toor dal.
      • Now add the water and give it a stir.
      • Press the cancel button and close the IP lid with the vent in the sealed position.
      • Pressure cook this at high-pressure mode for 15 minutes and let the pressure release naturally.
      • When the pressure is released, carefully open the pot and mix the kootanchoru.
      • That's it. The Tirunelveli special kootanchoru is ready. Serve it hot with yogurt or raita or with any dry curry of your choice.

      Pressure Cooker Method:

      • In a pressure cooker or pan, add the coconut oil. And when the oil is hot add the mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, hing and curry leaves.
      • When the mustard seeds start to splutter, add the chopped shallots and saute until it turns translucent.
      • Now add the tomatoes and the mixed vegetable and stir well.
      • At this stage add the sambar powder, tamarind paste, salt, and turmeric powder. Mix well.
      • Then add the ground coconut masala and gently stir again. Let it cook for a couple of minutes and then add the kodo millet and the toor dal.
      • Now add the water and give it a stir.
      • Close the lid and pressure cook for up to 4 whistles and allow the pressure to release naturally.
      • When the pressure is released, carefully open the pressure cooker lid and mix the kootanchoru.

      Notes

      • Adjust the salt and spice according to your preference.
      • As I mentioned, you can include red chili powder instead of sambar powder.
      • Also, instead of kodo millet, you can use rice or quinoa or other millet varieties.
      • You can use regular oil for, but coconut oil adds flavor so I would recommend coconut oil.
      • If required, add a dollop of ghee before serving.

      Nutrition

      Calories: 356kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 939mg | Potassium: 628mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3125IU | Vitamin C: 69.8mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 4.3mg

      I am not a nutritionist. The nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It varies depending upon the product types or brands.

      Tried this recipe?Mention @vidhyasvegetariankitchen or tag #vidhyasvegkitchen
      For Video RecipesCheck out My YouTube Channel
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      Filed Under: Instant Pot Recipes, Instant Pot South Indian Recipes, Siru Thaniyangal | Millets Tagged With: how to make kootanchoru in instant pot, Instant Pot Indian Recipes, instant pot millet recipes, instant pot south indian recipes, instant pot vegetarian recipes, kootanchoru, tirunelveli special kootanchoru, varugu arisi kootanchoru recipe

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. code2cook says

        November 27, 2018 at 6:52 pm

        5 stars
        This is looking like millet khichdi to me and I am so tempted to have while typing. Looks so delicious and lip-smacking recipe with millets. Great share.

        Reply
        • Srividhya G says

          November 27, 2018 at 9:17 pm

          Thanks much.

          Reply
      2. Chef Mireille says

        November 24, 2018 at 7:40 am

        5 stars
        I haven’t embraced the instant pot like every other person but I can easily adapt this to regular pot and with that masala – it looks so delicious!

        Reply
        • Srividhya G says

          November 26, 2018 at 9:28 am

          Oh yeah… IP helps but it is not like you cannot live without it. :-)

          Reply
      3. Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

        November 19, 2018 at 5:30 pm

        5 stars
        I am remembering my growing up days with all my cousins and enjoying this kind of one pot meals with them in our village. Making it with the millet is so healthy and a great way to use whole grains!

        Reply
        • Srividhya G says

          November 20, 2018 at 9:24 am

          :-) Thanks Sandhya.

          Reply
      4. Sandhiya ThirumalaiKumar says

        November 15, 2018 at 10:54 am

        5 stars
        I love kootan soru like anything, at least make them once a week with rice or millets. This varagu arisi kootan choru looks delicious, the ground masala is little different from what we use, will give a try on this masala sometime.

        Reply
        • Srividhya G says

          November 15, 2018 at 11:51 am

          Thanks a lot, Sandhiya. What masala do you use? I would love to know. Is it on your blog?

          Reply
      5. Gayathri Kumar says

        November 09, 2018 at 8:10 pm

        Millet version of kootanchoru looks amazing. I love that snap with cholagu. Perfect set up for this traditional rice.

        Reply
        • Srividhya G says

          November 10, 2018 at 8:20 pm

          Thanks much Gayathri. :-)

          Reply
      6. harini says

        November 09, 2018 at 3:39 pm

        5 stars
        Good one. I also make it with different millets and I love the ingredients which you used to grind along with coconut. Shall try this for a variation.

        Reply
        • Srividhya G says

          November 10, 2018 at 8:27 pm

          Thanks Harini. Please do try it pa. You will like it.

          Reply
      7. Priya Suresh says

        November 06, 2018 at 8:10 am

        Extremely inviting kootanchoru, lovely healthy twist with varagu arisi.. And am in love with this flavourful varagu arisi kootanchore, well done Vidhya.

        Reply
        • Srividhya G says

          November 07, 2018 at 9:18 am

          Thanks much. :-)

          Reply
      5 from 5 votes

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