9 Easy Indian Recipes using Beetroot

There are many tasty ways in which you can include this great vegetable in your diet. Its pretty colour and pleasant taste make it a superb addition to juices, smoothies and salads , while its potato-like texture when cooked makes it a viable ingredient for subzis and even the stuffing for masala dosas ! When cooking it, however, it is advisable to cook it with its skin on to retain all the nutrients. You can peel and mash it later, just like you handle potatoes.

Sweet and tasty, beetroot is a treasure trove of nutrients too. Normally, red and orange coloured vegetables are considered to be excellent sources of Antioxidants, and beetroot is no different. It has an important colour pigment called betalain, which has powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and fungicidal properties. It also aids in detoxification, and helps lower bad cholesterol (LDL) levels. Beetroot removes toxins and excess water from the body, keeping your skin tight and glowing.This wonder vegetable has yet another surprise in store. Despite being nice and sweet, beetroot is high in fibre and low in calories. Its soluble fibres help the body fight against fat, making it an excellent tool for weight loss. Also read 10 Health Benefits of Beetroot.

1. Salads: Beetroot due to its sweet taste blends very easily with most ingredients to make interesting salads. Beetroot and Sprouts Salad is a classic example of this. Just the alfa-alfa sprouts, lemon juice and salt are enough to make a palatable salad.  

Beet and Sprouts Salad, Healthy Sprouted Beetroot Salad

2. Starters: Interestingly beetroot can be added ot kabuli chana to make unique flavoured starter - Beetroot Hummus. To make a complete magical bright pink coloured cold starter serve it with cucumber and carrot sticks. Well, this is completely healthy too. It's a protein rich snacks which weight watchers can include in their diet. Want a party starter for your guests? Then try Cheese Carrot and Beetroot Rolls.

Cheese Carrot and Beetroot Rolls

3. Pancakes : Indian pancakes, also called chilla, not only make for sumptuous breakfast but also, quick snacks when hunger strikes. When you have beetroot, try Mini Beetroot Pancake for your little ones. 

Mini Beetroot Pancake

4. Rice: Heard about Beetroot Pulao? It is a nice, bright pink rice delicacy which combine cooked rice and grated beetroot perked up with assorted spices. You can also try Creamy Beetroot Risotto. 

Beetroot Rice ( Beetroot Pulao)

5. Indian Dessert: We have a recipe with beetroot to satisfy your sweet tooth too! Bottle Gourd, Carrot and Beetroot Halwa is in surprise for you. 

Bottle Gourd, Carrot and Beetroot Halwa, Microwave Recipe

6. Subzi: South Indians make use of beetroot to make a healthy subzi - Beetroot and Coconut Subzi. Grated beet teepered with mustard seeds and urad dal and flavoured with garlic. It's worth trying once!

Garlicky Beetroot Soup

7. Soup: Garlicky Beetroot Soup is a pleasing bowl you should definitely miss out on. Even infants in their weaning age enjoy it, because of its sweet taste and bright colour. But for your little ones make with subtle flavours like in done in the recipe of Beetroot Soup for Babies. 

Beetroot Soup for Babies

8. Drinks: Drinks are anytime addition to our diet. If you are trying a healthy variant like Carrot Beetroot and Tomato Juice, then it is best had early in the morning on an empty stomach. 

Carrot, Tomato and Beetroot Juice

9. Puris: Our very own puris can be made more interesting and tempting by the addition of beet puree. Check the recipe of Beetroot Puri. There is no fuss, you just have to mix, knead the dough, roll and deep-fry.

Beetroot Puri

Clearly, its such a versatile and healthy ingredient.