Frankly, these deep red roots of beetroot aren’t anybody’s favorite. Maybe it’s because of its unique taste – it is kind of sweet and ‘earthy’! In short, “Yuck!”
But, the health benefits of a beetroot is enormous. Not only is beetroot great for boosting stamina and making muscles work harder, it is a storehouse of the minerals potassium, magnesium and iron as well as vitamins A, B6 and C, and folic acid. Beets also contain carbohydrates, proteins, good antioxidants and soluble fibres. It reduces your blood pressure, risk of heart attacks and risk of osteoporosis. Beetroots also lower cholesterol, stabilises the blood sugar, treats anemia and slows progress of dementia!!!
Yet, I myself am not a fan of beets unless you can somehow disguise it’s original taste. That brings me to a recipe which is going to make anyone who hate beets to ask for MORE of it!! Kids love it. (This is the one beetroot recipe that I have always loved!)
There’s this colorful dish called Beetroot Kichadi. It is an authentic Kerala dish prepared during sadyas (feast) and is a kind of raitha which is what makes it so appealing to begin with.
Ingredients ***:
3 grated beetroots (beets)
1/2 cup grated coconut
1 tsp mustard seeds
5 green chillies
2 cups yoghurt
1/2 cup water
3 dried red chilly
A pinch of turmeric powder
Salt to taste
1 tbsp oil
[***This is the most simple and tasty way of cooking this recipe. Some use shallots,ginger, garlic and cumin..but this is unnecessary.]
PREPARATION:
Grind together the grated coconut, mustard seeds, green chilies and the turmeric powder.
Mix it with curd and water. Keep aside.
Heat oil. Splutter mustard seeds.
Add the dried red chilly and grated beetroot into the pan. Saute well.
Pour the prepared yogurt mix into this. Add your required amount of salt, and keep stirring till it is JUST WARM. DO NOT HEAT IT.
Switch off the flame. Serve with plain rice.
Beetroot Kichadi – An authentic Kerala dish
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By the way, for those confused with pachadi and kichadi > When you grind the mustard seeds to make the mixture, it is a kichadi. Else it is a pachadi! Now, that’s an easy way to remember, isn’t it?
FUN FACT: I read that since Roman times, beetroot has been viewed as an aphrodisiac! So now, all the more reason to have some beets 
