A no onion - no garlic version of the dish is also prepared during festive season. This comfort food is usually served along with boondi and raita. Preparation time : 30 minutes Serves : 3 Rice - ⅔ cup Toor dal - ⅓ cup Moong dal - ⅓ cup Water - 3 ½ cups Vegetable oil - 1 tablespoon + 1 tablespoon for tempering Cumin seeds - 1 teaspoon + ½ teaspoon for tempering Cinnamon stick - ½ inch Clove - 1 Onion chopped - 1 Green chilies - 2 Garlic cloves - 4 Ginger grated - 1 inch Turmeric powder - ⅛ tsp Red chile powder - 1 tsp Salt - to taste Asafoetida / Hing - ⅛ tsp Dried red chile - 1 Cashwenuts - 1 tbsp Coriander leaves - 2 tbsp
In a pressure cooker on medium high heat add 1 tablespoon of oil, cumin seeds, cinnamon stick and cloves. Saute it until you get a nice aroma. Add finely chopped onions, chopped green chilli, chopped garlic and grated ginger, and saute until the onions develop light golden color. Add turmeric and red chile powder, and saute for 30 seconds. Meanwhile wash the rice and dal and add it to the cooker. Add water and pressure cook on medium heat for about 3 whistles. For the tempering : In a small pan, add 1 tablespoon of oil, cumin seeds, hing and saute for few seconds. Add the dried red chile and cashew nuts and saute till it becomes light golden brown. Add this tempering to the khichdi and garnish it with coriander leaves. Dal Khichdi is now ready. Serve hot and enjoy.
Tip:
Vary the spices as per your taste. Once pressure cooked, you can add the water for desired consistency if desired. This dish thickens as it cools down.