Potato and Beetroot Curry (Saagu):

Ingredients:
Potatoes – 2 nos. medium sized,

Beetroot – 1 big,
Onions – 1 medium,

Tomato – 1 medium,

Coconut grated – ½ cup,
Salt to taste,

Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp,

Red chilly powder – ¾ to 1 tbsp,

Coriander powder – 1 ½ tbsp,

Tamarind – 1 tsp,

Coriander leaves - small bunch.

Seasoning:

Oil - 3 tbsp,

Cloves – 2 no,

Cinnamon stick - 1 piece,

Cardamom – 2 no,
Cumin - 1 tsp. 

Method:

·         Soak tamarind in ¼ cup water. Extract juice and discard pulp.

·         Toast red chilly and coriander powder in a hot pan for a minute and keep aside.

·         Cut the vegetable and tomato into half inch cubes, slice the onion into thin pieces and keep aside.

·         Grind coconut into a smooth paste and keep aside.

·          Heat oil in a pressure pan / cooker, add all seasoning items and fry for a minute.

·         Add raw potato, beetroot, onion and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes. Add water, close the lid and pressure cook till done.

·         Open the lid after about 15 minutes and add tamarind juice, toasted powders, turmeric powder, salt, tomato and boil till the tamarind is completely cooked.

·         Add ground coconut paste and boil for few minutes.

·         Remove from heat and garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

·         Saagu is ready. Have it with rava idly or Chapatti.

·        Traditionally saagu is prepared using varieties of vegetables like green peas, carrot, beans, etc. But try the above combination of potato and beetroot, it tastes really different.