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BEETROOT PORIYAL

I learnt this from my mom.Usually my mom makes this as an accompaniment for keerai kuzhambu.Its my favorite..Last week i made for mor kuzhambu . It was a flavorful and excellent combo.

INGREDIENTS :

• Beetroot - 2 nos (big)
• Moong dal - 2 tbsp
• Salt & water - As needed
• Sambhar powder  or Red chilly powder- 1.5tsp

To grind :

• Grated coconut - 3 tbsp
• Small onion - 2 nos
• Jeera - 1/4 tsp

To temper :

• Oil -  1 tbsp
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Urad dal - 1/2 tsp
• Big onion - 1 no (finely chopped)
• Curry leaves - Few

METHOD :

• Chop the beetroot into small pieces and pressure cook along with moong dal , sambhar powder , salt & water.
• Grind all the ingredients given under 'to grind 'into a smooth paste adding little water.
• Now temper the items mentioned above and add the cooked beetroot mixture.
• Then add the ground coconut paste and saute well till the  raw smell emanates.

Enjoy with sambhar/ mor kuzhambu / Keerai kuzhambu with a papad .

KITCHEN CLINIC :

BEETROOT : Beetroot contains sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, iodine, iron, copper, Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6 and C. Each capsule provides approximately 1-2mg of elemental iron. Benefits and Features of Beetroot Beetroot provides a good source of anthocyanadins, a natural antioxidant that contributes to its deep red color Extract is a natural source of vitamins and minerals Beetroot is used traditionally as a blood building food Beetroot may aid the natural process of elimination and support detoxification processes Beetroot has liver, spleen, gall bladder and kidney cleansing properties Beetroot is particularly rich in Vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus and iron Each capsule provides approximately 1-2mg of elemental iron The iron contained in beetroot is organic and non-irritating and will not cause constipation Beetroot is useful in acidosis due to it being rich in alkaline elements Vacuum packed to enhance stability and shelf life Suitable for vegetarians and vegans Beetroot for Cholesterol Reduction Beet fiber has been shown to have cholesterol lowering capabilities. In a study on rats with induced high blood cholesterol, a red beet fiber diet caused a reduction of serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels (by 30 and 40%, respectively) and a significant increase in HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol). This diet induced also a significant decrease (almost by 30%) of cholesterol content in the aorta. Beetroot for Blood Pressure Beetroot juice has been shown to lower blood pressure in subjects with normal blood pressure. In healthy volunteers, approximately 3 hours after ingestion of 500 ml of beetroot juice, blood pressure was substantially reduced, an effect that correlated with peak increases in plasma nitrite concentration, nitrite being the blood pressure reducing ingredient. Beetroot and nitrate capsules are equally effective in lowering blood pressure indicating that it is the nitrate content of beetroot juice that underlies its potential to reduce blood pressure. It has also been found that only a small amount of juice is needed – just 250ml – to have this effect. Beetroot for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Betaine, a nutrient found in beets and some other foods lowers plasma homocysteine, a possible risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Betaine supplements are manufactured as a byproduct of sugar beet processing. Betaine "supplementation" has however been found to increase blood LDL cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in healthy humans, which may undo the potential benefits for cardiovascular health of betaine supplementation through homocysteine lowering. Beetroot for Healthy Liver Function Beetroot contains the bioactive agent betaine, which supports healthy liver function. When the liver is functioning properly, fats are broken down efficiently, aiding weight loss, and preventing fatigue and nausea. Glycemic Index of Beetroot In a study to determine the estimated Glycemic Index of various foods, it was concluded that beetroot has a medium GI of 64. Adverse Reactions from Beetroot Beetroot and especially beet greens contain high levels of oxalate, and should be avoided by individuals with kidney stones containing oxalate Beetroot contains nitrates and when they are cooked and left standing at room temperature, microorganisms that convert nitrates to nitrites begin to multiply, and the amount of nitrites in the beetroot rises. The nitrites combine with amines in the stomach to form nitrosamines, some of which are known carcinogens.

Oliveto's Whole Hog Dinner 2012

After experiencing one of the Whole Hog dinners at Oliveto last year, I couldn't wait to do it again. This time I brought along a friend Susie, who had just moved to the neighborhood. While it may seem like everyone is jumping on the bandwagon and doing a whole animal dinner, the one at Oliveto is one of the oldest and surely one of the best. For one thing, it's a la carte, so you can eat and spend as much as you like. This year chef Jonah Rhodehamel focused the selections and there were more rustic options, but it's not all ears and trotters.


First up was a very hearty favata bean soup made from dried fava beans. Restaurant owner Bob Klein is the mastermind behind Community Grains and really knows his beans! The soup had tender chunks of braised pork, a chewy crouton and plenty of lift from a minty herbal puree. This is the kind of soup I would make and eat all week long.


Next up was a spectacularly good lasagna from Calabria called Sagne chine it had the lightest noodles and meatballs, plus a fresh and spicy tomato sauce and thin slivers of hard boiled egg. It was the most ethereal lasagna I have ever tasted. I was tipped off that a similar recipe is in My Calabria:Cooking with Rosetta cookbook so you may want to bookmark it. The recipe includes peas, and the Oliveto version does not.



The main course we shared was not the more common porchetta, but rather spit-roasted pork leg served with roasted carrots, turnips and greens. It was lean but still juicy, full of flavor. The chef told me he gets his pork from several sources including the sustainably raised ones from Magruder Ranch and Riverdog Farm.


After a palate cleansing salad of garden lettuce, we chose a pear strudel for dessert with vin santo ice cream. The leaves of the strudel with crackly crisp, because of course, they were slathered in strutto. Ah porcine goodness from beginning to end!

Note: There may be a few more seats left for this dinner 2/10/12, but call the restaurant to find out.

Oliveto
5655 College Avenue
Oakland, CA
510.547.5356

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