Vegetable Kichidi / Veg Khichidi / Khichidi / Kichidi - North Indian Style

Vegetable Kichidi / Veg Khichidi / Khichidi / Kichidi - North Indian Style

Its really difficult to arrive at a conclusion especially when we are very tired and exhausted by end of the day. And when it comes to making a quick dinner with less time, its much more difficult to finalise on one item. My wish is to include good amount of veggies in any meal, so there comes the one pot Kichidi for my rescue.  With a side of some cool raita and crunchy potato chips ( not for me!!!) on its side, this veg Kichidi would be delicious and healthy. Though we make Bisibelebath, Vegetable pongal in South Indian flavour and taste, this vegetable Kichidi is made in a north indian style. And I love all the versions and each version is unique in its own taste and preparation. This Kichidi is so tastier with all the goodness of vegetables, lentil and the process is also simpler and quicker.

Ingredients

Sona Masoori Rice - 1 Cup

Toor Dal / Thuvaram Paruppu / Kandhi Pappu - 1/2 Cup

Hing / Asafoetida - 1 Dash

Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp

Garam Masala Powder - 1 tsp

Dhana Jeera Powder / Coriander Cumin Powder - 1/2 tsp

Cumin Seeds / Jeera - 1 tsp

Dry Red Chillies - 2 Medium

Crushed Ginger Paste - 1 tsp

Cinnamon Stick - 1

Cloves - 2

Bay Leaves - 1 or 2

Salt - To Taste

Sugar - 1/4 tsp

Ripe Tomato - 2 Medium

Onion - 1/2 cup nicely shredded

Cut Vegetables - 1 Cup or 1.5 cup ( Carrots, Peas, Potato, Brinjal, Beans, Chayote or Chow Chow or any veggies of your choice ).

Oil - 1 tbsp

Ghee - 2 tsp ( Optional )

Procedure

• In a pressure cooker, on a medium flame, first add oil. When its heated, add Hing, Mustard Seeds, Cumin Seeds, Cinnamon Stick, Cloves, Dry red chillies, Bay Leaves in succession.
• When the tempering is done, add the onion pieces next and fry them till golden brown.
• Next all the tomato pieces into the cooker and fry them for a minute. Add all the powders into the cooker along with the cut vegetables, ginger paste into the vessel. Mix them well and fry for another 2 minutes.
• Then add the washed toor dal into the vessel and fry them for a minute. Add a cup of water and cover the cooker and allow them to boil for another 4-5 minutes till the toor dal gets half cooked.
• Open the lid and add the sona masoori rice, salt and sugar. Add four cups of water again and cover the cooker.
• Cook the Kichidi for 3 whistles and siwtch off the flame. After you open the cooker, add 2 tsp of ghee on its top and serve this with raita..

Tips

If  the Kichidi is made for a party or special occasion, add few ghee roasted cashew nuts on its top just before serving.

Saag Paneer / Mustard Greens Paneer Gravy

Saag Paneer / Mustard Greens Paneer Gravy

"Saag", the green leafy vegetable, also called as "Mustard Greens" is one of the healthiest choice in regular cooking. This contains more anti-oxidants and anticancer effects. Its low in calorie and an excellent source of Calcium, folic acid, vitamins and other minerals. Using this vegetable, there is a famous Punjabi dish called "Sarson Ka Saag" which is generally eaten with Corn Roti ( Makki ki Roti). I added Paneer to this dish and made "Saag Paneer" to attract my kids. Recipe is simpler with less ingredients and the process is also much simpler. As I used less oil, its bit thicker. You can customize the dish and make it in your style.

Ingredients

Saag / Mustard Greens - 1 Fresh Bunch

Tomato - 1 Medium

Red Onion - 1/2 Medium

Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 tbsp

Oil - 1 tbsp

Butter - 2 tsp

Cumin Seeds / Jeera - 2 tsp

Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp

Sugar - 1 Pinch

Salt - To Taste

Green Chillies - 3 or 4.

Garam Masala Powder - 2 tsp

Method

1. Wash the Mustard Greens thoroughly for three times and drain the sand and other dust particles.
2. Cut the Mustard Greens, tomato in bigger size and steam cook them in a kadai with no water.
3. Grind them along with green chillies and keep the paste ready.
4. On a medium flame, add oil to the cooking vessel / non-stick pan. When its heated up, add cumin seeds followed by cut red onion, ginger garlic paste. Fry them for few minutes till you completely come out of the raw smell...
5. Add the turmeric powder, garam masala powder, pinch of sugar and stir them for another 2 minutes.
6. Add the grounded saag paste to the vessel now and add required amount of salt to the vessel.
7. Mix them well and allow them to cook on a low flame for 4-5 minutes. Finally add the paneer cubes into the saag and mix it well with the cooked saag masala. Cover the lid and allow the saag paneer to remain in the flame for another 2-3 minutes.
8. Switch off the flame and add little butter or ghee on top just before serving.

Tips / Variations

• You can shallow fry the paneer cubes instead of adding the raw cubes into the saag.
• You can add make it in any consistency you want by adding little more water / oil.
• In place of paneer, you can even add potato cubes and make it attractive for the kids.