Radish & Beetroot Pachadi w/ Curry Leaf, Black Mustard Seed & Asafetida Tadka

Yields: 2 Servings Difficulty: Easy

Pachadi is Southern India’s version of the classic raita (yogurt curd w/ cucumber).  We had gorgeous radishes to use up from Little Wild Things Farm, so we’re using radishes instead of cucumber.   A Tadka is simply the addition of spices tempered in oil. 🌿 🌶 🌿 This is my first time using Asafetida … It’s a fascinating ingredient!  Ever wonder why we use ❤THIS ❤ symbol to represent love?  Read on!  Asafetida is widely used in Indian cuisine, but it became popular in Ancient Rome as a replacement for Silphium — the now-extinct giant fennel plant — which was both a culinary ingredient, an aphrodisiac & birth control for Ancient Romans! Apparently Nero was gifted the last existing plant to eat (figures!).  The giant fennel had heart-shaped seeds that were made into a beverage that women drank once a month to prevent pregnancy ♥️💗♥️  Consequently, the heart-shaped seeds of the plant made it onto ancient coins and are the reason why we now use the heart symbol to represent romance!  💗🌈💗

Ingredients

0/12 Ingredients
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Instructions

0/2 Instructions
  • Add oil to pan and sauté mustard seed, Asafedita, chilis & cumin. Don't smell the asafedita before cooking. Trust me. You're welcome ;-). Cook until mustard seeds pop, then add in fresh curry leaves. Set aside, along with lemon juice and fresh herbs, which will be your toppings for the dish.
  • Shred fresh radish and combine with yogurt and beetroot powder. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Top with fresh radish slices, cilantro, & tempered herbs from step 1.