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:

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