Khichari (Rice and Lentil dish)

Khichari is one of my favorite food. It is Satvic, and very light on the stomach. In Ayurveda, khichari diet is recommended for cleansing the body, it actually acts as a detox. 

Serves 4

Ingredients:

Split moog daal 1/2 cup

Basmati rice 3/4 cup
1 medium sized potato diced
1/2 cup fresh or frozen peas

7 cups of water

1 tsp turmeric powder

1/4 tsp red chilli powder

1/2 tsp garam masala

1 tbsp ghee

Pinch of hing (asoefetida)

1 tsp cumin seed

2 cardamom whole

2 cloves whole

1 bay leaf

1 whole red chilli

Salt to taste

Directions:

1. Soak rice and moong daal for about 20 to 30 minutes.

2. Heat ghee in a pan, add cumin seeds, heeng, bay leaves, cardamom, and cloves. Let the cumin cook till it turns brown.
3. Add potato, peas, turmeric, red chilli powder, and salt. Saute for 2 minutes.
4. Strain water from the rice and daal and add it to the pan. Saute for a couple of minutes.

5. Add water, boil on medium heat till rice and daal is completely cooked. It should not be watery, but of thick consistency.

6. Once cooked, add garam masala powder and mix well.

7. Khichari is now ready to be served. You can have it with Aloo chokha (mashed potato), yogurt, papad and achar (pickles).