Vegetable Khichdi

Khichdi is basically a dish of rice and lentils,my favorite comfort food that lulls me in to a sense of all'z well ! Also spelt as khichri, khichadi, khichadee it has its own regional versions across India with choice vegetables and lentils added to suit their palate. Generally veggies like cauliflower,peas and beans are added to the lentils-rice and cooked till mushy with very little or no spices. That is the reason why sick people and even infants are given the dish because it is easily digestible and has a soothing effect on the tummy. I My version has bengal gram for the lentils with cauliflower and beans for the veggies. Grated coconut and chopped coriander give the finishing touch to this true comfort dish ! I have tempered the dish with mustard though it is optional.

What goes:-

• Rice - 1 cup
• Bengal Gram - 1/2 cup - can use moong dal
• Cauliflower,Beans - 1/2 cup (washed n chopped)- add peas,carrot or choice veggies
• Clarified Butter - 1 to 2 tsp
• Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
• Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp
• Salt - to taste
• Asafoetida - a pinch or two
• Black Peppercorn - 1 tsp
• Green Chillis - 2  (halved n sliced) - to taste
• Cloves - 3 to 4
• Coriander - few sprigs (finely chopped)
• Grated Coconut - 2 to3 tbsp - optional
• Water - as required 

My Cluttered Workspace

How:-

Heat a thick bottomed pan and drizzle the ghee, allow mustard seeds to splutter. Add turmeric powder and stir in the washed lentils and rice. Fry it for a few minutes before adding the cut vegetables and the required water. Sprinkle the asafoetida and let it cook for 10-15 minutes. Now add the green chillis,pepper corns,cloves and required salt. Mix well and again cook it till done. It is imperative the mix becomes mushy.

Garnish with coriander and coconut. Enjoy with papads,curd or accompaniments of your choice !