Kichdi / Kichri

          Kichdi / kichri is a very healthy and delicious yet easy to prepare quick recipe. This simple dish is a combination of dal & rice and is given as a weaning food for babies and also for sick persons at the time of recovery since its nutritious and easy to digest. It can be prepared by using tur / moong / masoor or combination of these dals. Based on the availability, variety of veggies can also be added. Its up to the cook to design it accordingly and here is my version...

 Ingredients:

• Raw rice - 1 cup
• Dal ( tur/ moong/ masoor ) - 1/2 cup, I am using tur dal in this recipe.
• Water - 5 cups ; if you don't want it to be mushy add 3 1/2 cups
• Onion - 1 medium sized, diced
• Potato - 1 diced
• Green peas (fresh/ frozen ) / peanuts - 1/4 cup
• Green chilies - 2
• Curry leaves - 2 strands
• Ginger garlic paste - 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
• Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
• Chilly powder - 1 tsp
• Oil - 2-3 tbsp
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Jeera seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Salt - to taste

Method:

• Wash and soak the rice and dal in water for 30 minutes.

• Heat the oil in a pressure cooker pan (normal pan can also be used instead)  and add mustard seeds and cumin seeds, allow them to splutter.

• Add in the peanuts and saute for a while.

• Then add green chilies, curry leaves and turmeric powder followed by diced onion and fry till it gets transparent. Add ginger- garlic paste, diced potato and sauté.You can also add some soaked or canned green peas at this point instead of peanuts.

• Add the soaked rice and dal along with water. Add garam masala, chillie powder, salt and mix thoroughly. Allow the water to steam. Take a spoonful of water and check for the taste, make suitable adjustments if required and close the lid. Pressure cook for 3 whistles. If you are using a pressure cooker with timer cook for around 7 minutes.

• As the pressure subsides, open the lid and give a thorough mixing and serve hot with raita or pickle.

Watch the video in Kannada with English subtitles:

Check out our YouTube channel here and subscribe!

Read More

Ambode/ masala vadai/ deep fried dal patties:

             

               Ambode/masala vada is a popular South Indian snacks which can be relished either with the tea/coffee or can be eaten accompanying a meal. This spicy deep fried dal patties are equally liked by all  age groups...so lets know its recipe;

Ingredients:

• Kadale bele/ channa dal/ Bengal gram dal - 1 cup
• Curry leaves - 2-3 strands
• Coriander/ cilantro - 1-2 tbsp., washed and finely chopped
• Dill leaves - 1/2 cup, washed and chopped (optional)
• Green chilies - 4-5
• Onion - 1 small, roughly chopped
• Ginger - A small piece or 1/2 tsp paste
• Rice flour - 1-2 tbsp (optional)
• Salt - to taste
• Asafetida/ hing - A generous pinch
• Oil - for deep frying

Method:

• Soak the dal for 3-4 hours
• Grind soaked dal, green chilies and ginger coarsely using minimum amount of water
• To the ground mixture add chopped dill leaves, curry leaves, onion, salt, rice flour and mix thoroughly. Add small amount of water if required.
• Apply oil on to the palms and make patties out of the mixture
• Deep fry the patties in oil at medium to high flame until both the sides turn golden brown
• enjoy with mint or coconut chutney
  
  

Read More

Masala corn flakes:

 


A steaming cup of tea accompanied with some spicy light snacks really makes an evening enjoyable. Masala corn flakes is one such variety that suits very well to accompany the tea as well as to munch on whenever required...Here comes the recipe.,

Ingredients:

• Corn flakes - 2 cups
• Oil - 3 tsp
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Pea nuts - 1 tsp
• Raisins and pieces of cashews - as required
• Curry leaves - few
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
• Corriander powder - 1/2 tsp
• Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
• Sugar - 1/2 tsp
• Salt - to taste

Procedure:

• Heat the oil in a pan and add mustard seeds and cumin seeds and allow them to splutter.
• Add curry leaves and fry for a while and then add peanuts, cashews, raisins and roast them.
• Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, garam masala and give a thorough mixing.
• Add corn flakes, sugar, salt, chilly powder, give a final mixing and set aside and allow it to cool.
• Store in an air tight container.

 

Read More