Masala Khichdi
Masala Khichdi – comforting rice and assorted lentil mix cooked with aromatic spices, peanuts, crunchy veggies with hint of coconut, it is like a warm hug in a bowl!!
Khichdi is a pure comfort food of all time!! It is warm, cozy, filling, healthy, just like a warm hug in a bowl!! There are many different ways to make Khichdi. I personally have seen at least half a dozen ways of making it in my own house hold LOL. But at the end of the day, regardless of how you make it, it is a true comfort food.
This version includes plain white rice along with assorted dals (lentils). On top of that, lot of vegetable are included along with crunchy peanuts with hint of coconut. It is also one of those dishes that helps you separate kid friendly version and spice it up for adult. You know what I mean if you are like me who likes her food spicy!! There are two main steps involved in this recipe. Step one is to pressure cook the rice and lentil mix which ends up being a simple plain kid friendly khichdi. And the second step is to spice it up with basic spices and load it up with vegetables!! It makes a perfect two pot meal for the whole fam!!
I like to use few different type of lentils along with rice in this recipe. However you can certainly stick with just once kid of dal (lentil) to make your life a little easy! If you are from Surat or around that area, you must have heard a very popular spot, Jalaram Khichdi!! They are one of the best Khichdi makers in South Gujarat!! I take lot of pride in saying that this dish tastes very very close to Jalaram Khichdi. I say you try it and see it for yourself!! If you disagree, leave a comment below!!
You can certainly use leftover plain khichdi to make this Masala Khichdi. This will reduce your work in some way and helps repurpose the food as well!! Simply serve this Masala Khichdi with either Gujarati Kadhi or Masala Chhash with side of achar & papad. This is one of those dishes I strongly feel so good about. If you end up making it and liking it, tag me on @myvegetarianroots. I would love to see your recreation of this true comfort food!!
Happy & Healthy Eating!!
Masala Khichdi
Ingredients
Boiled Rice & Dal/Lentil Mix
- ½ cup Mix of Jasmin & Basmati Rice any type of white rice would work
- ½ cup Assorted Dal Mix 3 tbsp Green Mung Dal + 3 tbsp Yellow Mung Dal + 2 tbsp Tppr Dal
- 1 tbsp Ghee
- 1 clove Sliced Garlic use a large clove
- ¼ tsp Turmeric Powder
- ½ tsp Salt
- ¼ cup Raw Peanuts skip if allergic
- 1 pinch Asafetida/Hing
- 1 cup Water
Spice Mix & Vegetables
- 3 tbsp Ghee
- 3 Cloves
- 3 Whole Peppercorn
- 1 Very Small Cinnamon Stick break in small piece if necessary
- 1 Whole Dry Red Chili
- 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
- 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
- ⅛ tsp Asafetida/Hing
- 4-6 Curry Leaves
- ¾ cup Finely Chopped Onions
- 1½ tsp Grated Ginger
- 1½ tsp Minced Garlic
- ½ Serrano, finely chopped
- ½ cup Chopped Carrots
- ½ cup Chopped String Beans
- ½ cup Corn Kernels fresh or frozen
- ½ cup Frozen Peas
- 1 cup Chopped Tomatoes
- ¾ tsp Red Chili Powder
- ¼ tsp Turmeric Powder
- 2 tsp Cumin Coriander Powder
- ½ tsp Garam Masala
- 2¼ tsp Salt
- 3 cup Water
- ¼ cup Grated Coconut either fresh or frozen, dry coconut powder can be used as a sub
- ¼ cup Finely Chopped Cilantro
Instructions
- Mix rice and assorted dal. Wash and soak it for 10-15 minutes.
- Once soaked, drain all the water out. Mix all the ingredients listed under "Boiled Rice & Dal/Lentil Mix" along with 1 cup of water.
- Pressure cook the rice and dal/lentil mix. If using Indian style pressure cooker, do 3 whistles. If using Instant Pot, cook it on high pressure for 4 minutes with 6 min NPR.
- Heat 2 tbsp of ghee in a wide pot. Add in dry whole red chili, cinnamon stick, peppercorn & cloves. Saute for few seconds.
- Add in cumin and mustard seeds. Once popping, add asafetida and curry leaves. Saute for 5-8 seconds.
- Add in chopped onions, garlic, ginger & jalapeños. Saute till onions are translucent and raw smell of garlic is gone.
- Add in chopped carrots, string beans, peas & corn kernels. Mix well. Cook on medium heat until these veggies are ¾ th way cooked.
- Add chopped tomatoes and saute till they start to loose moisture.
- Add red chili powder, salt, turmeric powder, cumin coriander powder & garam masala. Mix well. Cook for another minute.
- Add in 3 cups of water and bring it to boil.
- Add in cooked rice & lentil mix. Mix well, be careful while mixing as rice tends to bread which will make khichdi mushy.
- Once mixed with water and veggies, let it cook on medium heat for 3-4 minutes while stirring few times, until the water is well absorbed with khichdi (making it not too watery and not too dry). The consistency should be stew like.
- add in grated coconut, cilantro and 1 tbsp of ghee. Mix well. Turn the heat off and cover it for 2-4 minutes before serving.
- Serve it pipping hot with masala chhash, papad, achar on side!!
