Sanjivani Masala Khichdi

Health Benefits:

Masala Khichdi is a powerhouse of carbohydrates, calcium, vitamins, and several other antioxidants. The combination of rice and mung dal provides the body with all essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. Vegetables add fibers and antioxidants. Addition of ghee provides a significant dose of healthy saturated fats.

Ingredients:

• Rice (preferred white rice but not basmati)-1 cup, rinsed and soaked for 10 minutes
• Mung dal -1 cup, rinsed and soaked for 1 hour
• Onion , diced-1 cup
• French beans , cut into ½”-1” pieces-1 cup
• Green Peas -1 cup
• Carrot , diced-1 cup
• Colored bell peppers , diced-1 cup (optional)
• Cauliflower , diced-1 cup (optional)
• Garlic, finely chopped-1 tablespoon
• Coriander , finely chopped-3 tablespoons

Spices: 

• Mustard seeds -1 teaspoon
• Cumin seeds -1 teaspoon
• Black pepper powder-½ teaspoon
• Garam masala-½ teaspoon (ground mixture of mostly cloves and cinnamon or may use whole cloves and cinnamon)
• Fenugreek -½ teaspoon
• Asafetida -½ teaspoon
• Turmeric -1 teaspoon
• Salt to taste
• Ginger , ground/grated- 1 inch or 1 teaspoon
• Green chilies , ground-¼ to ½ teaspoon for mild spicy to hot (please remember you are going to add black pepper which will also make it spicy)
• Organic Sugar/Sweetener of your choice-½ teaspoon (Optional)

Liquids:

• Water-5 cups (May use 6 cups if desired loose)
• Ghee (preferred)/ Avocado Oil / Coconut oil /Canola oil-2 heaped teaspoons or 2 melted tablespoons (may use more if desired)

Instructions :

1. Rinse the soaked rice and mung dal once again and transfer the mixture into a stainless-steel vessel that can go in the steamer.
2. In a pan, heat 1 tablespoon of ghee or oil and add mustard seeds.
3. As they crackle, add cumin seeds.
4. Add onions, carrots, French beans, peas and other vegetables of your choice, and sauté for a minute.
5. Add rice and mung dal and 6 cups of water now.
6. Add garam masala, black pepper, asafetida, turmeric, fenugreek seeds, crushed ginger, and salt to taste.
7. Add chilies and sweetener if desired.
8. Now steam cook for 12-15 minutes to make sure rice is cooked or pressure cook for 7-8 minutes and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
9. Garnish with cilantro and serve it hot.

Option :

To reduce processing, take 4 cups of water in rice and dal, and cook all the vegetables separately in 1 cup of water. Then add these vegetables to the cooked khichdi and stir in.