Beetroot Rice is one for those few vegetables which give the rice flavor and subtle sweetness. Spice it up with some sambar powder and garam masala powdered, along with some coarsely pounded peanuts and finely chopped mint leaves, makes a comforting one meal dish. Accompany this rice with a raita of your choice or tomato-onion raita.

A great meal for children as young as 12 months. A great lunch box meal filled with nutrition of beetroot and rice. While cooking for children very young, cook the rice to a softer texture, so that it will be easier for them to digest.

Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1 cup grated beetroot
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• ½ cup finely chopped onion
• 1 clove finely chopped garlic
• 2 tablespoons of chopped mint leaves
• 1 teaspoon homemade sambar powder or store bought
• 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt to taste

Method

Cook the rice with  2.5 cups of water until soft and grainy. Cook the rice with salt. Keep aside.

Heat butter in medium heat in a pan; add cumin seeds, onion and garlic and sauté until onion is tender and golden.

Add grated beetroot and sauté with the pan covered until beet is soft, tender and cooked.

Add sambar powder, garam masala powder, mint leaves, salt and mix well.

Stir in the beetroot mixture to the cooked rice and serve warm with yogurt or tomato onion raita or raita of your choice

Note

White serving a child, the rice has to been cooked a little softer based on the chewing ability of the child. Softer rice also helps in easy digestion. Can be giving to children over 12 months of age. You could serve with plain yogurt for children.