Masoor Dal Khichuri / Red Lentil Khichdi

The Winters where we live seems never ending, every week there is a Snow Storm.In the midst of the last snowstorm, I cooked Khichuri/Khichdi with Masoor Dal (Red Lentils) and Basmati Rice. It is almost a tradition for Bengali's to enjoy this warm and comfort food on a beautiful rainy day, but we enjoyed this on a Snowy Day. Khichuri is served with Ilish Mach Bhaja, Fried Egg and is considered a light and nutritious dish. The best part is we add some vegetables to it, like Cauliflower, Green Peas and Potatoes.

Ingredients: Khichuri/Khichdi

• 1 cup Basmati Rice
• 2 cups Red Lentils (Masoor dal)
• 1 Tomato
• 2 tbsp Ginger Paste
• 1/2 cup Green Peas
• 1 tsp Cumin Seeds (Jeera)
• 1 Bay Leaf
• 1 tsp Turmeric Powder (Haldi)
• 2 tbsp Roasted Cumin Powder
• 1 tsp Garam Masala Powder
• Mustard Oil / Canola Oil
• Green Chilli
• Chopped Cilantro
  
• Salt to taste

 

I use a Pressure Cooker to cook this quick, you can even use a pan or a wok. Wash the Lentils and the Rice, heat oil in a wok, add the Lentils and stir them. After about 5 minutes, add the rice and stir. In a separate pan, heat 1 tsp oil, add the Cumin Seeds, Bay Leaf, Tomatoes and the Green Chillies. Saute them, add the Turmeric Powder, Cumin Powder, salt and cook till oil separates out.

Pour the cooked tomatoes in the pressure cooker with the Lentils and the Rice and add 1 cup of water, cover and cook till Rice & Dal gets mushy. If you are adding, Cauliflower, fry them separately, and add with the green peas to the tomato mixture. Mix in the chopped Cilantro and the Garam Masala powder.

We like the Khichuri with extra gravy and I mostly serve this with Ilish Mach Bhaja but this time I served the Khichuri with a fried egg and achar (Indian Pickle).