Beets With Coconut

Recipe courtesy of Maya Kaimal, from Savoring the Spice Coast of India. Found on Food Network, posting for ZWT.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 4  medium beets, about 1 pound
• 3⁄4 cup  grated unsweetened coconut
• 2  garlic cloves, crushed
• 1  fresh green chile, split lengthwise

• Ground Masala

• 1  teaspoon cumin
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne
• 1⁄4 teaspoon turmeric
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 2  tablespoons  vegetable oil
• 1  teaspoon mustard seeds
• 2  dried red chilies
• 10 -12  fresh curry leaves
• 1  tablespoon  uncooked long grain rice

Directions

1. Peel the beets and grate them using a food processor fitted with the coarse shredding disk, or on the coarse side of a box grater. Set aside.
2. In a bowl, combine the coconut, garlic, green chile, ground masala, and salt with about 1/4 cup water to form a moist ball. Set aside.
3. In a large wok, heat the oil over medium high heat. Add the mustard seeds and cover. When the seeds have popped toss in the dried red chiles and curry leaves. After the leaves crackle for a few seconds, put in the rice and stir for 5 seconds or until rice turns opaque white.
4. Add the grated beets and stir thoroughly. Reduce the heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally until the beets become soft.
5. Add the coconut mixture and continue cooking for another 5 minutes Remove from the heat and check the salt.