Beetroot Pachadi / Beetroot Chutney

Beetroot is a superfood and has health benefits including preventing osteoporosis, treating anemia and constipation. Low in fat and has loads of Vitamins and Minerals. 

Here's our family recipe of the beetroot pachadi / chutney which i learnt it from my Mother-in-law and its being eaten happily by my 5 years old son with zero tantrums.

Ingredients: 

• Beetroots Medium sized 2 nos (Peeled & Cubed)
• Dried Red Chilli 4 nos
• Garlic Cloves 3 nos
• Tamarind Big Gooseberry Size (soaked)
• Coriander Seeds 1 tbsp
• Cumin Seeds 1tsp
• Urad Dal 1tsp
• Channa Dal 1tsp 
• Salt as per taste
• Oil 1 tbsp

For Tempering:

• Mustard Seeds 1/4 tsp
• Urad Dal 1/4 tsp
• Channa Dal 1/4 tsp
• Curry Leaves few
• Dried Red Chilli 1 no
• Asafoetida a pinch
• Oil 1.5 tsp

Method:

1. Switch on the stove and put a pan. Add 1 tbsp of oil and fry the Coriander seeds, Cumin seeds, Urad Dal, Channa Dal, Dried Red Chillies, Tamarind. Transfer this mixture to a mixie jar when the aroma comes out of the fried dals etc, and grind it.
2. Now add the cubed beetroot pieces to the pan and fry them till the raw smell goes. Add these pieces along with garlic cloves and salt to the mixie jar and grind it too. If required add little water and transfer it to a bowl.
3. Fry the ingredients listed in the Tempering section. Add this to the chutney, mix it well and its ready.

This goes well with rice, chapathi and Phulkas.
Serves 2 to 3 persons

Aratikaya Kura / Raw Banana Curry

Aratikaya or Raw Banana is an underrated vegetable but actually it has got loads of Vitamins and Minerals that are essential for our diet. This fibre rich vegetable helps in keeping the heart healthy and also great for diabetics. Its tastes good when it is fried, baked or steamed as well.

Ingredients:

• Aratikayalu / Raw Bananas Medium Sized 2 nos ( Cubed)
• Onion 1 big (chopped)
• Ginger 1/4 inch coarsely grinded.
• Chilli Powder 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric Powder 1/4 tsp
• Garam Masala  Powder 1/4 tsp (optional)
• Water 1/2 cup
• Roasted Sesame Seeds Powder(optional) 
• Salt as per taste 

For Tempering:

• Mustard Seeds 1/4 tsp
• Urad Dal 1/4 tsp
• Channa Dal 1/4 tsp
• Curry Leaves few
• Dried Red Chilli 1 no
• Oil 1.5 tbsps

Method:

1. Switch on the stove and place a pressure cooker. 
2. Add oil to it and also the ingredients listed in the tempering
3. Now add the chopped oinion. Add ginger when the onion turns pink. Fry it till the raw smell is gone.
4. Add the Turmeric Powder, Chilli Powder and Salt and fry it for a minute.
5. Now add the raw banana pieces and saute it.
6. Add 1/2 a cup of water and check for salt. Pressure cook it for 4 whistles. If cooking in a normal pan add water till the pieces are covered and cook it till the pieces are cooked well.
7. After the whistle are done, Switch off the stove and remove the whistle by allowing the pressure to go off. This helps in keeping the raw banana cubes in shape and they dont get mushy.
8. Open the lid and switch on the stove again as there would be water in the curry, add the Garam Masala to it. Cook as per your consistency and finally add the Roasted Sesame Seeds Powder (optional). I like it little dry as i love to eat this with Rasam & Rice.

This goes well with Roti , Chapati or Phulkas

Aloo Fry / Potato Fry

Aloo or Potato is a common vegetable cooked in every household in various varieties across the world. It is so humble vegetable that it doesn't require much ingredients to make it and mixes well if added with any other vegetable.

Today's recipe is my take on aloo fry with an addition of a spice powder. Last week i happened to visit Basavangudi and Gandhi Bazaar with my local friends and they took me to a bakery. Its the famous Srinivasa Brahmin Bakery. From there i picked up couple of Podis (Powdered mix of Spices) like Sambar Podi, Chutney Podi etc. Today i used Sambar Podi in the fry to give that twist.

Ingredients:

• Aloo / Potatoes 250 gms (Peeled & Cubed)
• Chilli Powder 1/4 tsp
• Turmeric Powder 1/4 tsp
• Sambar Powder (Srinivasa Brahmin Bakery) or any Sambar Powder 1 tsp
• Salt as per taste
• Few Curry Leaves 
• Water 1/4 cup
• Oil 2 tbsps

Method:

1. Place a pan or a nonstick kadai on the stove and add the oil to it.
2. Now add Salt, Chilli powder, Turmeric and add 2 tbsps of water to it that the chilli powder doesn't burn.
3. Add the Potato cubes and give it a mix. Add the rest of the water, cover it and cook it on a low flame until the potato pieces are cooked. Now cook it on a high flame till the water evaporates. Take care that the pieces doesn't get burnt.
4. Now add the sambar powder, curry leaves and mix it nicely. Switch off the stove.

This goes well with Rice & Rasam or Sambar combo and Roti as well.

Serves 2 people.

Chikkudukaya Fry / Indian Beans Fry

Image Source : Shopitsoon.com

Indian Beans (Chikkudukaya) are a very good source of cholesterol-lowering fiber like most other Beans. It helps in controlling sugar levels.

Here is my mother's recipe that i always cherish and make it.

Ingredients:  

• 250 gms of Chikkudukaya / Indian Beans cut pieces (sides to be veined)  
• 2 medium sized Onions (chopped finely)
• Turmeric 1/4 tsp
• Red Chilli Powder 1/2 tsp (can be added more)
• Salt as per taste

For Tempering :

• Curry Leaves few
• Dry Red Chilli 1 no
• Mustard Seeds 1/4 tsp
• Urad Dal 1/4 tsp
• Channa dal 1/4 tsp
• oil 2 to 3 tbsps (2 tbsp is required oil quantity)

Method:

1. Switch on the Flame, and take a pan, add oil to it. Then add the ingredients        listed in the tempering.
2. Add the chopped onion to it when the urad and channa dal turns to                    golden color.
3. Now add the Chikkudukaya pieces when the onion turns pink color.
4. Cook this for 1 minute on a high flame and simmer it ;cover it and                    cook until the pieces get soft.
5. Add Turmeric, Salt and Red Chilli powder and cook it further for about 5              minutes.
6. Switch offf the flame when the Chikkudukaya pieces turn a bit brown.

This goes well with Rice and sambar, roti too.

Serves 2 people.