Beetroot Thoran- A side dish with Beetroot and grated coconut

I remember when I was a child, I used to hate all sorts of veggies and to make me eat my food, I was given beetroot thoran with rice. The sweet taste of Beetroot was loved by me and this was the reason why I prefer this side dish as a once in a week dish with rice.

Beetroot thoran is a side dish with rice in Kerala. It has a sweet touch of beetroot, the crispiness which is often tempting, blended with the chilies to make it the perfect side dish for a Kerala meal. As for me I am a true lover of beetroots, and this one is my favorite. Usually beetroot thoran is made in houses where there are small kids. This sweet thoran is a real delight for kids during their meals. This will also match perfect with chapattis, though it is dry. A combination, which most of us is not aware of.

While making Beetroot thoran, care should be taken to pick fresh and crispy beetroots. This can make the dish tastier. Prefer organic ones for better results. If you find cutting beetroots a bit of a tough task, then you can even grate it in a grater or pick out your mixer grinder or even choose your food processor. Food processors are much quicker and easier to make those large beetroots to fine and small pieces. Care should also be taken while cooking Beetroots. If we leave them unattended in the pan, there are chances of the beetroots to harden. So it is advisable to stir it occasionally with your spatula and leave it closed in slow flame. Cooking in slow flame can help to cook things without burning them.

Check out the recipe.

Ingredients

• Beetroot- 1/2 kg
• Coconut gratings- 1/4 cup
• Garlic - 3 cloves
• Green chilies - 2 nos
• Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp ( you may use the powdered version too)
• Shallots - 4-5
• Onion- 1 medium
• Oil
• Salt

Method

1.     Peel the skin of beetroots and cut it into small pieces. You may even grate it with the help of a grater or use a food processor for the same.

2.     In a mixer jar, add coconut gratings, garlic, green chilies, cumin seeds and shallots and grind it for a second or two. Do not grind it to a paste.

3.     Switch on the stove, place a pan and when the pan is heated, pour some oil to it

4.     Add mustard seeds soon after the oil are heated. You may then add curry leaves to it.

5.     Now add the finely cut beetroots to the pan, onions and salt to it and sauté well

6.     Add the coconut mix to this and sauté

7.     Close the lid for 5-10 mnts. Let it cook in slow fire.

8.     After 10 mnts, you may check whether it is cooked well

9.     Serve with rice

Prefer to give Beetroot thoran to kids during their lunch. They would really love it.