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Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Achari Khichdi (Spicy Rice porridge with Lentils)

Khichdi is an Indian dish that is made from Short grain rice and lentils. Its like a savoury rice and lentil porridge, and is very popular in all Indian regions although the preparation methods vary from region to region. This one pot meal is traditionally served as a comfort food, it is considered a light and nutritious dish, and is especially popular amongst those who follow an ayurvedic diet. It is also one of the first meals that is given to a baby.
Khichdi can be prepared in many ways. In Gujarat it is cooked from a mixture of short grain rice (the glutinous variety) with Moong dhal with husk cooked with salt and turmeric. It is usually served with a dollop of ghee(clarified butter). Sometimes it is served mixed with kadhi a thin sauce made from yoghurt, gram flour, curry leaves, cumin, and mustard seeds and eaten as an evening meal.
Alternatively to serve Khichdi as a more flavoursome one pot meal, I cook it with some seasonal vegetables and spice it up with Achar masala (pickle spice.) All it then needs to complete the meal is to serve it with a glass of  fresh salted jeera lassi known as Chaas and a bowl of cooling natural yoghurt. This is my most favorite comfort food.

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Achari Khichdi
A delicious rice and lentil spicy hotpot with seasonal vegetables.

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup Short Grain Rice (I use patna make)
  • 1/2 cup Moong Dhal with Husk
  • 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 small Red Onion, finely diced
  • 1 small Carrot, diced
  • 1/2 cup Dutch Aubergine, diced
  • 1 Medium Potato, diced
  • 1 Small Courgette, diced
  • 1/2 tablespoon Achar Masala (Pickle spice)
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
  • 1 Red dried chilli
  • 1/2 teaspoon Mustard seeds
  • 4 cups Water
Method:
1. Mix together the rice and lentils and wash them in cold water to remove dust and starch. Once washed soak the rice and lentils in more clean water for 1 hour.2. In a large deep saucepan, add the oil and when it is hot add the red dried chilli and the mustard seeds and wait for them to crackle.3. Add the onions and saute them until translucent and softened.4. Add the aubergine, carrots, courgettes and potatoes and mix with the rice. Add the salt, turmeric, achar masala and mix gently into the rice and vegetables.4. Add 4 cups water and bring the mixture to boil, once mixture has reached boiling stage, reduce heat and cook the khichdi on a low simmer for about 35-40 minutes until all the water is absorbed and the mixture is  mushy. It needs to be well cooked.6. Once the khichdi is cooked remove from heat and give it a final stir. 7. Spoon the Khichdi in to serving bowls and serve with cold salted jeera lassi and a bowl of cooling natural yoghurt.
Details
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: Serves 4


NB-The Khichdi works best with short grain rice as it is more glutinous, I used Patna brand that I buy from my local Asian supermarket. Khichdi is not like a normal rice dish its more like a rice porridge therefore it should be fairly sloppy in texture.With regards to the pickle spice you can either make it from my Achar masala recipe here or use shop bought . It is available in most Asian supermarkets or online from Amazon

35 comments:

  1. This dish looks so comforting and delicious. I have never heard of a Dutch aubergine so will look out for one now!

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  2. I love little cultural insights like this where you say this is one of the first meals given to a baby. So different from the bland gloop we give babies in UK and France!

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  3. I've never tried this indian dish before. I must admit it does look slightly strange, although I'm very open to trying new foods!

    It looks like it could be a useful as like a late lunch meal. Amazing recipe well written

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  4. Yummy! Looks like such an interesting ans tasty dish. Lovely bowl too x

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  5. I love dishes like this, I've been eating a lot of lentil type dishes lately because they're full of protein!

    Corinne x
    www.skinnedcartree.com

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  6. I'd love to try this dish, seems it would have pleased me :) It is a pity that some of the ingredients not available to me.

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  7. I bet this dish is perfect for rainy days just like today. So comforting xx

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  8. I'd not thought of a savoury rice pudding before - sounds intriguing.

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  9. I love hearing what different cultures use to wean their children. This sounds like a really interesting meal and I'm curious to try it.

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  10. So would this accompany a main meal or is it a meal in itself?

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  11. love the idea of adding pickle spices in khichdi, will try it soon when next time i make khichdi.

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  12. I love savoury porridge, but I haven't made anything like this before. So many different flavours going on, which is always good with me.

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  13. This dish is definitely my idea of food heaven! Getting added to my list of recipes to try!

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  14. This sounds so yummy. I've never seen a savory porridge like this before.

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  15. Ohh this sounds like such an interesting combination, I bet it is so comforting as well. x

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  16. It sounds really interesting, I'd love to try it. I'm not sure if I'd love it or hate it. I am addicted to rice but dislike porridge so it would depend on which spectrum it sat on- although I would never turn it down ;) haha x

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  17. The flavours in this sound wonderful and it looks so wholesome too!

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  18. Oh, this sounds really good. I love lentils and rice together. And all those veggies in there would be perfect for when my garden is overflowing!

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  19. I think I say this everytime you post that I NEED to come to your house. Your food makes my mouth water

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  20. this seems to be really so tasty...i like achari gosht.never tried khichri

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  21. I would love to taste this dish. Sounds very yummy.

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  22. Rice and lentils as a porridge? Such a strange mixture but looks like it works x

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  23. What an interesting dish, I have had similar rice 'porridge' dishes and they tested yummy. Thanks for the recipe

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  24. I have never tried this dish before but it looks lovely! I may have to try and cook it thank you x

    Miss Kitty Kaos - Adventures Of A Riot Grrrl

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  25. I've never seen anything like this before but I'm a huge fan of Indian cuisine and always up for something new so I'll have to try this with my friends :)

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  26. That sounds wonderful, my mouth was watering as I read it. GG

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  27. Great meal to start babies off on their culinary journey - I can totally see why this is considered comfort food.

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  28. I haven't tried many indian dishes but this looks delicious!

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  29. That sounds like an interesting dish, I do like lentils.

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  30. Ooh I've never heard of this but it sounds delicious! Love all the ingredients so I think I'd love this :)

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  31. Lentils make such good meals. Delicious AND filling - you can't really go wrong.

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  32. Lentils are a great budget food too - not sure about lots of the other ingredients though as I've not heard of a few x x

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  33. It looks like a delightful bowl of comfort food, admittedly ive never had savoury rice pudding before.

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  34. I am not very fond of spicy food, but the picture looks great, I might be tempted! x

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  35. Ooh this looks SO good! We rarely seem to cook with lentils but we really must try some of your recipes, you can almost smell them they seem so tasty!

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