Beet Bhaja is a dish packed with nutrients and flavor. As soon as winters roll in and the weather starts to become chilly, beetroots become available in the market. Getting this veggie and making the recipe is like a treat to oneself.
This starter dish is a favorite in many Bengali household, not only because of its palatable taste and good but also because it is very simple to make. It is a stir-fry with only a few other ingredients that elevate its earthy flavors. The spiciness comes through really well along with the caramelised softness of the onions and the tender texture of the beetroot.
The good thing is you can make it any time during the winter or whenever it is available. This veggie can be made into any form and dish, and this is one of them, plain and hearty.
So let’s us go through the list of ingredients and the process of making Beet Bhaja at home.
Beet Bhaja Recipe (Bengali-Style Beetroot Stir Fry)
Equipment
- 1 Induction Cooktop
- 1 Kadhai
Ingredients
- 2 Beet large
- 1 Onion medium; optional
- 3-4 tbsp Green Peas if available
- ½ tsp Kaalo Jeere or Nigella seeds
- 1 Dry Red Chili
- 2 Green Chili
- Salt to taste
- 1 ½ tsp Poppy Seeds or Posto
- Mustard Oil
Instructions
Prepare the veggies
- First, start by peeling the beet and then wash them nicely.
- Next, cut them into small pieces and keep them aside.
- Now, peel and cut the onion in half. Slice them into thin slices. Keep them aside.
Fry the veggies
- After this take a kadhai or a cooking pan.
- To this, add the mustard oil (about 2 ½ tsp) and let it heat until it smokes a little.
- Now, add the kaalo jeere or nigella seeds and the dry red chili (break it from the middle).
- Stir and fry them for a few seconds.
- To this, add the onion. Keep the flame on low to medium.
- Stir and fry the onion. Let it cook until soft.
- Add the beet and stir everything together.
Prepare Beet Bhaja
- Cover and let the beet cook for 2 minutes.
- Next, add salt to taste and combine again.
- Add the green peas and stir.
- Let the beet cook and when they are soft, add the green chilis (slit them from the middle).
- Stir occasionally until the beet is fully cooked through.
- Take a taste test. Add salt if needed.
- When done, turn off the flame and transfer the Beet Bhaja into a serving bowl.
- Garnish
- Garnish the dish by sprinkling poppy seeds or posto.
There you go! The delicious Beet Bhaja is prepared to be savored. Serve it with steamed rice, moong dal, and Beguni.
This is a nice combination. You can also pair it with any other side, be it anything vegetarian or non-vegetarian.
One fun thing is to see the burgundy color that comes off beautifully when the beet bhaja blends with the fluffy white rice. It is good to just look at and then comes the amazing flavors.
Prepare it at home and relish it for a soul-filling lunch. Bon Apétit!