Friday, December 11, 2009

Simple Lunches - 18 (beets with potates)

If a business gives a person in power money to get something done it is called a bribe. If the Nobel committee offers the peace prize with an expectation of a certain type of behavior is it still called a prize? BHO after accepting his bribe prize delivers an impassioned speech about being a war president. Didn't we vote for him to be the peace president? Don't miss the article on Jugalbandi and the article linked there - this piece in Rolling stones. As people who voted for him it is also our responsibility to keep tabs on what our President is really up to apart from the sound bites.

The weather has turned noticeably colder and we have had the season's first snow already. The mouth craves for foods that are spicy and hot. The kids relish the snow and watch the melting of snow with great sadness, as for me the faster the snow melts the better. But one thing that offers solace is the availability of beets. I know beets are found all year round but the best ones I think are found in winter. Beets is one vegetable that I remember eating with great pleasure. This beet raita was made often. We had a cook who used to make a dry beet root curry which was also a big favorite. I have to recreate the recipe from memory. The recipe presented here was given by a dear friend, amazing in its simplicity but really tasty.






Beets and Potatoes stir fry
Ingredients
1. 3 Medium sized beet roots chopped into cubes, 2 cups
2. 1/2 - 1 onion chopped
3. 2 Potatoes peeled and cubed into slightly bigger size than the beets
4. 4-5 green chilies slit (optional)
5. 3/4 tbsp sambhar powder or chili powder and coriander powder
6. seasonings: mustard seeds, urad dal - 1 tsp, cumin seeds and curry leaves

Method
1. In a pan heat a tsp of oil and add the seasonings followed by the onions and green chilies and saute till the onions turn translucent.
2. Add the beets and potatoes and saute for a few minutes, add salt, sprinkle 3-4 tbsp of water, close the lid and let it cook for about 8-10 minutes.
3. Open the lid, add the sambhar powder and saute for 3-4 minutes.

Serve as a side with rice and sambhar or with chapatis.

12 comments:

  1. I like beets with chapathis, combo with potatoes sounds good.

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  2. Never would have thought of adding beets and potato in the same curry.

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  3. A simple lunch yet exactly what I would like to make this weekend.
    I have never tried beets with onions and sambhar powder before, would like to try! :)

    cheers,trupti
    the spice who loved me

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  4. Here too the weather was really cold today. I was cursing i didn't wear a thicker pullover under my winter jacket. Love the beets with potato.

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  5. wow I never thought Potato and beets would go together, looks good,thanks for sharing.
    Good Suggestion Potatoes slightly bigger than Beets.

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  6. I always welcome spicy preparations of beetroot - look very good.

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  7. I like the combination of beets and potatoes!

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  8. Beets are my favorite as a simple stir fry and a halwa. This curry is on way amma maks rarely sans the potatoes. Also in my college hostel I have tasted this combo. Simple yet hearty! Thanks for the simple meal ideas Indo!

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  9. The only way I like beet is either in a porial or raw, grated in a koshimbir....the potatoes must be making this recipe a fab one though!

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  10. That was what exactly I was talking to my H about the other day?We wanted CHANGE not the same old with a different strategy, if there is any?I thought Nobel prize is given on an achievement not in anticipation?!!
    BTW that curry looks delicious esp with chapathi!

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  11. Politics aside :-) (when we did during the campaign we were cursed) so now mouth shut and see the fun..

    It has been ages since I had this kind of stir fry with beet.. don't know why i did not make this for such a long time. i would love the color the potatoes would take on when i was kid. Time i make it again.

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  12. Beets & potato is a new & interesting combo for me.

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