The Bollywood Twist on a Viral Trend
The internet loves a good food trend, and simple, healthy bowls have been at the forefront. Often combining a creamy base like yogurt with a vibrant vegetable, these dishes are all about maximum flavour and nutrients with minimum fuss. Alia Bhatt's go-to
snack fits right into this craze. In a YouTube video, the actress shared her favourite beetroot salad, a recipe she says is a constant in her diet. It’s a simplified and personalised version of the beetroot and yogurt bowls that have gained popularity, but with a distinctively Indian flavour profile thanks to a couple of key additions.
The Four Core Ingredients
What makes this snack so accessible is its simplicity. You only need four main components, with a few optional extras for a 'tadka' or tempering. The core of the recipe consists of boiled and grated beetroot, plain yogurt (curd), black pepper, and a sprinkle of chaat masala. Alia combines boiled and grated beetroot with yogurt, then seasons it. The beetroot provides an earthy sweetness and a wealth of nutrients, while the yogurt offers a creamy, tangy base packed with probiotics. The black pepper adds a hint of spice, and the chaat masala delivers that quintessential tangy, savoury kick that elevates it from a plain salad to a truly crave-able snack.
How to Make It at Home
Recreating Alia's snack is incredibly straightforward. Start by boiling one medium-sized beetroot until it's tender, then peel and grate it into a bowl. Add a few tablespoons of plain yogurt or curd—hung curd can be used for a thicker consistency. Next, sprinkle in black pepper and chaat masala to your taste. Mix everything together thoroughly. For an added layer of flavour, you can add an optional 'tadka', a technique Alia adds for a twist. Heat a tiny amount of oil or ghee in a small pan, and add a pinch of mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and a few curry leaves. Once they start to splutter, pour this tempering over the beetroot and yogurt mixture. Garnish with fresh coriander, and your healthy, star-approved snack is ready to eat.
Why It's More Than Just a Snack
The appeal of this dish goes beyond its celebrity connection. It's a powerhouse of nutrients. Beetroot is celebrated for its health benefits; it's packed with fibre, folate, and nitrates, which can help improve blood flow and lower blood pressure. Its high fibre content promotes a feeling of fullness, making it a great choice for weight management. Yogurt is a well-known source of protein and probiotics, essential for good gut health. The combination supports digestion, boosts the immune system, and provides sustained energy without the crash that comes from sugary, processed snacks. It’s a perfect example of how traditional, whole-food ingredients can be combined for a snack that is both nourishing and delicious, aligning with a diet that favours clean, home-cooked meals.
