Dal Khichadi is a traditional Indian dish made with rice and lentils. It is a comfort food that is easy to make and is also healthy and nutritious. Here is the recipe for Indian Dal Khichadi:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1 cup split yellow mung dal (lentils)
- 2 tbsp ghee or oil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 bay leaf
- 2-3 cloves
- 1-inch cinnamon stick
- 1-2 green cardamom pods
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- Salt to taste
- 4 cups water
- Coriander leaves for garnish
Instructions:
- Rinse the rice and dal separately, and soak them in water for 30 minutes.
- In a pressure cooker or a heavy-bottomed pot, heat ghee or oil. Add cumin seeds, bay leaf, cloves, cinnamon stick, and cardamom pods. Sauté for a few seconds until the spices release their aroma.
- Add chopped onions and sauté until they turn translucent.
- Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for a few more seconds until the raw smell goes away.
- Add chopped tomatoes, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Cook until the tomatoes are soft and mushy.
- Drain the soaked rice and dal and add them to the pot. Mix well with the spices and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add water and stir well. Close the pressure cooker lid or cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid.
- Cook on high heat until the pressure builds up. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 10-12 minutes in a pressure cooker, or 20-25 minutes in a pot, until the rice and dal are cooked through.
- Turn off the heat and let the pressure release naturally. Open the lid and mix well. If the khichadi is too thick, add more water and mix well.
- Serve hot, garnished with coriander leaves.
Tips:
- You can add vegetables like carrots, peas, and potatoes to the khichadi for more nutrition.
- You can also add a dollop of ghee on top of the khichadi before serving for more flavor.
- If you don’t have a pressure cooker, you can use a pot and cook on low heat for 25-30 minutes until the khichadi is cooked through.