Make Anjula Devi’s Vegan Beetroot Curry

PREP: 10 Minutes

COOK: 20 Minutes

SERVES: 4

“I’ve always loved beetroot,” says chef and spice expert Anjula Devi. “We grew beetroot in our back garden when I was young. At the end of the month, when money was tight, this often made an appearance on our dinner table. My dad used to call this ‘no money curry’.”

Ingredients

4 large, fresh beetroots
2 tbsp groundnut oil
½ tsp mustard seeds
¼ tsp ajwain
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp crushed coriander seeds
2 curry leaves
1 tbsp fenugreek leaves
1 medium onion, chopped finely
2 red birdseye chillies, slit lengthways
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 thumbnail-sized piece of ginger, chopped finely
¼ tsp mango powder
1 tsp salt
¼ cup water
¼ pint good coconut milk
1 small bunch fresh coriander, chopped

Instructions

Wash, peel and cut the beetroot into small cubes and set aside.

Heat the oil on a low heat and fry the mustard seeds, ajwain, cumin seeds and coriander seeds. When the mustard seeds begin to splutter, add the curry leaves, fenugreek leaves, chopped onion, chillies, garlic and ginger and stir. Lower the temperature and add the mango powder.

Add the beetroot cubes. Stir well and then add the salt. Add the water, cover the pan with a lid and cook the beetroot for 10 mins on a low heat.

Once the beetroot is cooked, add the coconut milk and cook for a further 10 mins without the lid on to reduce the coconut milk down. Remove from the heat and add the chopped fresh coriander. Serve.

For more authentic Indian recipes, Anjula Devi’s fantastic ‘how to’ recipe book comes with  top tips and a glossary of spices, it includes step-by-step instructions for Anjula’s masala base, as well as easy-to-follow recipes for chicken curry, chicken biriyani, stunning samosas and perfect pakoras plus lamb, prawn, vegetarian and vegan dishes, starters, rice, breads and chutneys.  Find out more and buy the book for £5.99 here. 

And if you’re looking for the right kit to help you make them, Lakeland have worked with Anjula to create the Authentic India range of products. From flavouring curries to fluffing chapatis, every one is designed specifically for the job in hand.