BEETROOT CURRY

    This Beetroot Curry was an accidental recipe.  I made this for the first time during my college days.  I usually used to cook dinner those days, and mostly I land up with Chapatis, as my brother is a big fan of chapatis.  One particular day, there were no other vegetable except Beetroot, and I was wondering what I could make with that to go along with Chapatis.  I just tried my hand on it and came up with this recipe.  The trial version of my Beetroot Curry was a hit at home.
     After getting married, I tried this recipe in my in laws place, obviously to show off my cooking skills. Everybody liked it except my FIL(Father-in-Law).  He said that he would throw it out the next time, he saw this curry on the dining table.  He couldn't stand the colour of the curry.   Even now, most of our relatives who visit us ask me to cook this curry and especially my Brother-in-Law is a big fan of this Beetroot Curry.  A contradictory notion for the same recipe - Like & Dislike.  But the ratings of 'likes' tops the list and that's why the recipe is here...

     Beetroot is not a common vegetable used in Southeast Asian Cuisine I guess. During School Days,  my Son had taken Chapatis and this Beetroot Curry for breakfast. It was a common scenario for his classmates to come peep into his Lunch Box and find all new variations of Indian Food not common around in Malaysia.  He used to share his food with them and one of his classmate a Chinese Guy asked him what was that "SQUARE GUY," - he was intrigued by the pink coloured Vegetable cut into small cubes, which was Beetroot.  Since then, we have started calling this curry as Square Guy Curry too.

     The magnificent colour of beetroot and its unique flavour are retained in this curry.  It's authentic sweetness go hand in hand with the fragrant spices and the coconut milk enriches the curry on the whole.  Though Beetroot would be the last vegetable to come into our minds while cooking a curry for Chapatis or Rotis.  Trust me... this Beetroot Curry does total justice.

For more Recipes on CURRIES, Click here...

Cuisine : Indian
Recipe Type : Curry
Course : Side Dish
Spice Level : Medium - High
Difficulty : Medium
Serves : 3- 4
Author : SM

Preparation Time - 5 -10 Minutes
Cooking Time - 20 - 30 Minutes

 INGREDIENTS :

Beetroot - 100 Gms.
Thick Coconut Milk - 1 Cup
Thin Coconut Milk - 1 Cup
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 Tspn
Red Chilli Powder - 2 Tspn
Coriander Powder - 3 Tspn
Chole Masala Powder - 1 Tspn (optional)
Curry Leaves - 1 sprig
Fennel Seeds - 1/4 Tspn
Oil - 1 Tbspn.
Salt - To Taste
Sugar - A Pinch
Coriander Leaves - To Garnish

To Saute & Grind :

Oil - 1 Tbspn.
Onion - 2 Nos.
Garlic - 3 Cloves
Ginger - 1/2" piece
Green Chillies - 2 Nos.
Cloves - 3 No's.
Cardamom - 3 No's.
Cinnamon - 1" Piece
Fennel Seeds - 1/2 Tspn
Poppy Seeds ( Khus Khus) - 1/2 Tspn
Tomato - 1 No.
Coriander Leaves - Few

METHOD :

• Wash and clean the Beetroots and cut them into bite sized cubes.
• Heat oil in a pan and saute Onions, Ginger and Green Chillies.
• Add all the spices mentioned under ' To saute & grind' and fry until the onions turn translucent.
• Switch off the flame, add chopped Tomatoes and Coriander Leaves to sautéed ingredients and allow it to cool.
• Grind the Masala into a smooth paste.
• Heat oil in a pan, splutter few Fennel Seeds and Curry Leaves.
• Saute the ground masala in low flame until it is fragrant and oil separate from it.
• Add Turmeric, Red Chilli Powder, Coriander Powder and Chole Masala to the above and fry for few minutes.
• Sprinkle some water if needed.
• Add Beetroot to the masala and mix well.
• Add salt and enough water to cook the beetroots.
• When beetroots are cooked, pour the Thin Coconut Milk over it and leave it on a low flame for about 5-10 minutes stirring consistently.
• Finally, pour in the Thick Coconut Milk and leave in on a low flame for few minutes.
• Add a pinch of sugar, if preferred.
• Garnish the Beetroot Curry with Coriander Leaves.
• Can serve this Beetroot Curry with Chapatis, Dosas, Idiyappams, Rice or any roti of your choice.

For detailed recipe on CHANNA/CHOLE MASALA POWDER, Click here...

NOTES :

• Can cook the beetroot first and then add it to the sautéed masala.
• Adding sugar and chole masala is totally optional.