Sabudana Khichdi/Savoury Tapioca

Ingredients [Serves 2-3]
3/4 cup tapioca pearls [sabudana]
1 cup water
1 large boiled potato, peeled & cubed
6-8 grape tomatoes, halves [or 1/4 cup chopped tomatoes]
1/4 cup peanuts, lightly toasted [substitute with any other toasted nuts you like]
2 tsp cumin seeds
1 green chilli, finely chopped
1/2 tsp red chilli powder
Handful of chopped apricots & golden raisins
2 tbsp fresh lime juice [adjust to taste]
Salt to taste
3 tbsp canola oil
Chopped cilantro
Soaking Tapioca
Wash and soak the tapioca pearls in 1 cup of water for 30 minutes.After soaking, drain the pearls through a sieve and discard water.Let the sieve rest on top of a big bowl and cover the sieve with a damp paper towel or cloth.Let sit like this for 6 hours.After every hour or so, check and sprinkle water over tapioca.The idea is so keep the pearls moistened as they slowly absorb water and plump up.

Cooking Method:
In a wide-mouthed, heavy bottomed pot, heat the oil over medium heat.
Once the oil starts slightly smoking, add the cumin seeds and let them crackle.
Next add the boiled, cubed potatoes and saute them for 5 minutes till they do not change color but start to crisp.
Next add the chopped tomatoes, chilli powder and chopped chilli and saute for 3-4 minutes more.
Add the toasted peanuts, dry fruits and saute for another 1-2 minutes.
Add the soaked tapioca pearls along with salt and chopped cilantro next.Immediately remove from heat.The heat from the pot is enough to cook up the tapioca.This step is important to ensure that the pearls do not stick to each other.The more you cook the pearls over heat, the more translucent and sticky they become.
Squirt fresh lemon juice over the cooked tapioca and serve warm.