I don’t remember how many times have I started my post with it’s very cold here but the fact is it is very cold here. I have actually heard people say that it is the worse winter in last 30 years. Can you believe it?
Well in a weather like this, we all crave for comfort food. Mine are filled with a list of rice and noodles, hot and hitting the comforting spot! Not to say that the comfort foods come in one pot meal and should be quick. I mean what is a comforting food if it takes forever.
Khichdi is an all time favorite for me. Actually, it is often cooked in most of the Indian households when people want to eat something quick, healthy and comforting. Khichdi is made with rice and dried beans, often split mung, whole mung, red lentils, Chana etc. Sometimes it is made with vegetables and sometimes just plain, often accompanied with yogurt, spicy pickle, papadoms and tempered with oil spiked with red chili powder. I am little crazy…always trying to sneak in greens in one form or the other in my dishes :). Did I call myself crazy right now? Oh ya….I am a mother and I have a right to be crazy.
You can make these delicious one pot meals in saucepans and slow cookers without any doubt. But if you want them a weeknight quick meal which is complete with proteins, carbs, fibers and other good minerals and vitamins, then Pressure Cooker is the answer my dear 🙂
Let’s get rolling people. I am telling you that few varieties of mung and other dried beans form Asian grocery stores or international stores are totally worth storing in your pantry. These are just full of goodness. Next time, anybody asks you that how do you get your protein being a vegetarian or vegan…give it right back…Beans…darling Beans..lol….wicked ;).
Ingredients :
Serves : 4
Mung Split (it’s green in color) : 1/2 cup. You may use yellow mung, red lentils if you want.
Rice : 1/2 cup. Use any variety available…basmati, long grain, short grain…anything
Ginger : 1 tsp chopped fine
Onion : 1/4 cup chopped fine
Tomato : 1 medium or 1/3 cup
Spinach : 1/2 cup if frozen OR 1 cup if fresh
*Water : 5 cups for pressure cooker
Oil : 1/2 tbsp
Cumin seeds : 1/2 tsp
Turmeric : 1/2 tsp
Red Chili powder : 1/4 tsp or more as per taste
*Garam Masala : 1/2 tsp to 1 tsp. I used 1 tsp since I like the heat.
Note :
* Water : If using a pressure cooker, 5 cups is good. If using a saucepan or slow cooker, double the water and add salt in the last when the mash looks cooked…or else you will end up with too salty dish if added in the beginning.
* Garam Masala : You may use Readymade or may use curry powder or use this recipe to keep it at home, handy and aromatic.
Coriander seeds : 1 tbsp
Cumin seeds : 1 tbsp
Cinnamon stick : 1 inch piece
Cloves : 1/2 tbsp
Black pepper corns : 1/2 tbsp
Dry red chili : 1-2 as per the heat required
Bay leaf dried : 1 big
Method : dry roast all of them together on low flame till you can smell aroma, say for 2-3 minutes. They will be slightly browned. Don’t burn and blacken them. Cool them and grind them fine in a coffee grinder. Store in air tight container. Goes long way. Use as desired.
Method :
Take Mung and rice in a bowl. Wash them in fresh water 3 times till they seem clear. Soak them in 1 cup water till you do the rest do the prep.
Heat oil in pressure cooker. Add cumin seeds. Once they crackle, lower the flame and add ginger and onions. Sauté for 2-3 minutes.
Add tomatoes and spinach and all the spices besides salt. Mix well.
Take the bowl of soaked beans and rice, strain the water carefully. Add the rice and beans to the pressure cooker and mix well.
Add water and salt to taste.
Put the lid on. Turn the stove to high flame. Wait for 2 whistles. After 2 whistles, lower the flame to simmer and simmer for 8-10 minutes more.
It’s done…..that’s it! Wait till the steam escapes on its own. Remove the weight and the lid. Pour it in your bowl. Enjoy! I have actually added a tbsp of plain yogurt on top which is traditionally eaten with this dish. Also I have added the tempering of oil, cumin + mustard seeds and red chilli powder for that extra oomph. Added some bright salad on the side. Drizzled some lemon juice and Bahm…that’s it!
In case, you are looking for tempering, here is how:
Heat 1 tbsp of oil or ghee in a small pan. Add 1/4 tsp of mustard seeds and 1/4 tsp of cumin seeds to it. When it starts crackling and jumping. Take it off the flame. Add 1/4 tsp red chili powder and the tempering is ready. This kind of tempering can be used in any bean preparations to jazz it up a notch.
afracooking
for my last post I experimented with rice an pulses, but this dish really is so original! Loving it!
simplyvegetarian777
This dish is so commonly made in Indian households with little variations:).
afracooking
for my last post I experimented with rice an pulses, but this dish really is so original! Loving it!
simplyvegetarian777
This dish is so commonly made in Indian households with little variations:).
Aneela Mirchandani
Love your pictures here. Love khichdi too!
simplyvegetarian777
Thanks Aneela!
Aneela Mirchandani
Love your pictures here. Love khichdi too!
simplyvegetarian777
Thanks Aneela!
The Novice Gardener
Whaat?? Am I the only one who never had khichadi? I blame this entirely on my girlfriend’s mom. She never fed me this! Is it like porridge? Time to investigate!
simplyvegetarian777
Yup like porridge consistency! All things cooked together till mushed!
The Novice Gardener
Whaat?? Am I the only one who never had khichadi? I blame this entirely on my girlfriend’s mom. She never fed me this! Is it like porridge? Time to investigate!
simplyvegetarian777
Yup like porridge consistency! All things cooked together till mushed!
v8mile
This looks amazing, and gives me inspiration for the mung beans I bought on a whim.
simplyvegetarian777
Surely dip for it…one of the healthiest beans and the split variety doesn’t take time to get cooked…
v8mile
This looks amazing, and gives me inspiration for the mung beans I bought on a whim.
simplyvegetarian777
Surely dip for it…one of the healthiest beans and the split variety doesn’t take time to get cooked…
apsara
Very true. The best last-minute one pot meal that we can resort to for dinner. Especially when I have one of each vegetable, they all go well together in a khichdi.
simplyvegetarian777
Absolutely Apsara :).
Are you doing a guest post for me ? Have I already asked you? If yes, please let me know which month did we talk about and also if we didn’t, then does April or May work for you?
apsara
You had said that March would work. If it won’t April is fine too.:)
simplyvegetarian777
No no…March is good! Gosh?.. I am so lost…I have put everybody on schedule and didn’t keep a record with me :(.. Putting you down for March…vegetarian or vegan dish :).. Or an article related to it….anything!
apsara
that’s cool. You’re a busy person and a bundle of energy!
simplyvegetarian777
Energy or not…being busy keeps me away from negative energies 🙂
apsara
Very true. The best last-minute one pot meal that we can resort to for dinner. Especially when I have one of each vegetable, they all go well together in a khichdi.
simplyvegetarian777
Absolutely Apsara :).
Are you doing a guest post for me ? Have I already asked you? If yes, please let me know which month did we talk about and also if we didn’t, then does April or May work for you?
apsara
You had said that March would work. If it won’t April is fine too.:)
simplyvegetarian777
No no…March is good! Gosh?.. I am so lost…I have put everybody on schedule and didn’t keep a record with me :(.. Putting you down for March…vegetarian or vegan dish :).. Or an article related to it….anything!
apsara
that’s cool. You’re a busy person and a bundle of energy!
simplyvegetarian777
Energy or not…being busy keeps me away from negative energies 🙂
Laura
Looks amazing! I keep hoping I’ll wake up and it’ll be Warner, but -17 seems to be the norm. The scary thing is that I’m starting to get used to it…
simplyvegetarian777
Laura ,
I am hating it all the more…so ready to move south back again…to Texas…atleast better…hot summer is still manageable….cold winter are killing…
Laura
Looks amazing! I keep hoping I’ll wake up and it’ll be Warner, but -17 seems to be the norm. The scary thing is that I’m starting to get used to it…
simplyvegetarian777
Laura ,
I am hating it all the more…so ready to move south back again…to Texas…atleast better…hot summer is still manageable….cold winter are killing…
Chandni Lahoti
Easy peasy comfort food and very delicious! Yummy post! 🙂
simplyvegetarian777
Thanks C 🙂
Chandni Lahoti
Easy peasy comfort food and very delicious! Yummy post! 🙂
simplyvegetarian777
Thanks C 🙂
lapetitepaniere
Always so good 🙂
simplyvegetarian777
Yes :))
lapetitepaniere
Always so good 🙂
simplyvegetarian777
Yes :))
Elaine @ foodbod
Wow! Looks so good!! I now have packs of various lentils in my cupboards as a result of all of your wonderful recipes and I thought of you the other day when I saw pigeon peas in my local Indian store…now to go back and find that recipe…x
simplyvegetarian777
Elaine..you are a sweetheart and I alas admire your build up recipes using different ingredients 🙂
Elaine @ foodbod
Thank you so much Sonal :)) you guys constantly inspire me x
simplyvegetarian777
🙂
Elaine @ foodbod
Wow! Looks so good!! I now have packs of various lentils in my cupboards as a result of all of your wonderful recipes and I thought of you the other day when I saw pigeon peas in my local Indian store…now to go back and find that recipe…x
simplyvegetarian777
Elaine..you are a sweetheart and I alas admire your build up recipes using different ingredients 🙂
Elaine @ foodbod
Thank you so much Sonal :)) you guys constantly inspire me x
simplyvegetarian777
🙂
Shivani Panchmatia
wow wow wow…. mouth watering…. gosh i m hungry now
simplyvegetarian777
Get some Cooking Shivani 🙂
Shivani Panchmatia
🙂 I ll try this weekend for sure
simplyvegetarian777
🙂
Shivani Panchmatia
wow wow wow…. mouth watering…. gosh i m hungry now
simplyvegetarian777
Get some Cooking Shivani 🙂
Shivani Panchmatia
🙂 I ll try this weekend for sure
simplyvegetarian777
🙂
Eat,live,burp
its snowing here and i want this bowl of kichadi now:)
simplyvegetarian777
Nothing to beat a cold weather and khichdi or Pulav or biryanis or taheris combos
Eat,live,burp
its snowing here and i want this bowl of kichadi now:)
simplyvegetarian777
Nothing to beat a cold weather and khichdi or Pulav or biryanis or taheris combos
aryana0821
yum yum ..the recipe look like the afghani kichri quroot :0
simplyvegetarian777
:)))). Wh have too much common Amal…. Would love to see your version!
aryana0821
Soon sweetheart 🙂
aryana0821
yum yum ..the recipe look like the afghani kichri quroot :0
simplyvegetarian777
:)))). Wh have too much common Amal…. Would love to see your version!
aryana0821
Soon sweetheart 🙂
indusinternationalkitchen
Love khichadi any day! Your recipe looks great! 🙂
simplyvegetarian777
Aruna,
Now that’s hilarious :)).
simplyvegetarian777
Thanks 🙂
indusinternationalkitchen
Love khichadi any day! Your recipe looks great! 🙂
simplyvegetarian777
Aruna,
Now that’s hilarious :)).
simplyvegetarian777
Thanks 🙂
Aruna Panangipally
I was reading this as I sip my morning cuppa and sighing…. My dad came over to see what I was drooling overand started laughing, because he knows that if you give me khichadi or it’s South Indian variation, pongal! I don’t need anything else. 🙂
simplyvegetarian777
Haha Aruna :)))….
Sighing for khichdi. I want to try the portal one day :)… I love the southern Indian tempering in my dishes too!
Aruna Panangipally
I was reading this as I sip my morning cuppa and sighing…. My dad came over to see what I was drooling overand started laughing, because he knows that if you give me khichadi or it’s South Indian variation, pongal! I don’t need anything else. 🙂
simplyvegetarian777
Haha Aruna :)))….
Sighing for khichdi. I want to try the portal one day :)… I love the southern Indian tempering in my dishes too!
thebrookcook
YUM!!!!
simplyvegetarian777
Thanks Josette 🙂
thebrookcook
YUM!!!!
simplyvegetarian777
Thanks Josette 🙂