MOONG DAAL KHICHDI

Moong Daal Khichdi 

Khichdi is an Indian dish, commonly made with rice and yellow moong dal.  

There are numerous varieties of khichdi, as recipes tend to differ according to each household and region.  However rice and lentils are the standard ingredients. Khichdi is a comfort food at best  when recovering from illness. Easy to digest, and a complete meal for vegetarians. This warm, comforting dish is cooked until a mushy, porridge-like texture is achieved.

Ingredients ( Servings 4-6)

•          ½  cup basmati or any long grain rice         
•       ½  cup moong dal( split and skin removed)
•          1 Tablespoon Jaswant’s Kitchen Tadka Masala
•           ¼ teaspoon Jaswant’s Kitchen Garam masala
•          1 teaspoon salt or to taste
•          4.5 cups hot water
•           Ghee(clarified butter)or butter
•       Black pepper to taste

Cooking method- Instant pot

1. Wash rice and moong daal and drain water.
2. Add the dal, rice, Tadlka masala, salt and hot water to the steel bowl inside the Instapot.
3. Close the lid and press the  pressure cook button  at medium for 13 minutes. When the cooking is done, let the pressure go down on its own. when pressure valve drops, open the lid.
4. Stir to mix.  Sprinkle garam masala and serve hot, topped with ghee or butter and plain yogurt. You may add more or less water, depending upon the consistency desired. Adjust seasoning(salt and pepper)to taste.

Optional additions: A tempering to add another layer of flavour

• ¼ c chopped onion
• 2-3 cloves garlic thinly sliced or chopped
• Whole spices- ( 1 tsp Cumin, bay leaf, cinnamon,)
• ¼ tsp Asafetida. ( Hing) available at Indian Food stores
• 1 Tablespoon ghee

How to use above ingredients: In a frying pan on medium, heat ghee and add whole spices . When spices start sizzling and emit fragrance add the garlic. After one minute add  hing (asafoetida, if using) and onions and sauté for 2-3 minutes till the onions are translucent, then add to khichri. Mix well and serve.

Notes:

  If cooking on stove top, the time will vary. It may take up to 45 minutes of simmering. You may double up the recipe and use Daal seasoning pouch instead

1.      In case of upset stomach or serving to children, use Jaswant’s Kitchen Mild Tadka Masala.
2. To make a complete one pot meal: you may add 1 cup chopped vegetables (spinach, carrots, peas, cauliflower etc. or whatever you have at home)while cooking
3.  Serve with plain yoghurt or raita, some pickles and salad on the side.