Cubes of beetroot cooked to tender perfection, tossed in a heavily spiced, super-flavoursome shredded coconut mix with plenty of lime zest for freshness. This recipe is what I describe as a fresh and light ‘dry curry’, very different to the stereotypical slow cooker meal in a rich gravy. At first glance it may look like a vegetable accompaniment, but it’s so full of flavour it really holds its own as centre-stage dish, especially with fluffy white rice to soak up the spicy turmeric oil. This recipe is a teaser straight from my brand new cookbook ‘Modern Slow Cooker’… click below to check it out!
Serves 4
Hands-on time: 15 mins
Total slow cooker time: 4 - 8 hours
+ dairy free
+ vegan
+ vegetarian
+ egg free
+ nut free
+ soy free
+ gluten free
+ one pot wonder
Ingredients
3 long green chillies, quartered*
4 garlic cloves, peeled
4 cm knob ginger, peeled
⅓ cup (80 ml) extra virgin olive oil
1 ½ teaspoons fine salt
2 teaspoons fennel seeds
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
½ teaspoon whole cardamom seeds
1 lime, zest finely grated, juiced
⅓ cup (80 ml) water
750 g beetroot, washed and cut into 2 cm cubes
2 cups (150 g) shredded coconut
½ cup (80 g) sultanas
Steamed rice, to serve
Method
FIRST
- Place chilli, garlic, ginger, oil, salt, fennel seeds, cumin seeds, turmeric, cardamom seeds, lime zest and juice and water in blender or food processor. Blend until pureed – it doesn’t need to be smooth, just finely chopped. Spread across base of slow cooker.
- Top with beetroot and shredded coconut. Stir everything to combine well. Cover and cook for 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low.
4 OR 8 HOURS LATER
-
Add sultanas, give everything a good stir.
For a complete meal, serve beetroot with fluffy steamed rice topped with a dollop of coconut yoghurt, fresh coriander, toasted sesame seeds, roasted cashews, raita (page 192), zhug (page 196) or apple and mint chutney (page 193). Also makes a great side dish at your next Indian banquet.
*This dish is quite spicy – decrease the amount of chilli if that doesn’t appeal to you!
