Mag dal ni kichdi is an all time Gujarati favorite. The dish is eaten on a daily basis and is also part of any festive fare throughout the state. The combo of rice and lentil in Mag dal ni kichdi saves you from cooking the lentil separately. However, you could serve it with any other lentil gravy if you so desire.
Ingredients:
3/4 cup yellow moong dal or yellow gram (split)
3/4 cups good quality rice (preferably Basmati)
1/2 tsp each of cumin seeds
Asafetida
Turmeric powder
Ginger and garlic paste
2 each of peppercorns
Cloves and cardamom
2 green chilies chopped very fine or ground into a paste
3-4 cups of warm water
Salt to taste and cooking medium as per personal preference
Popular Accompaniments:
The dish is used extensively throughout India to introduce kids to solid foods. It is high in nutritional value and very easy on the digestive system. Mag dal ni kichdi is a favorite across the continents and a simple form of the elaborate pulao or biryani. It goes well with pickles or papads and chutneys.
Preparation:
First combine the rice and split yellow gram and then wash and drain thoroughly.
Soak the two ingredients in warm water for around 15 minutes and then drain the water thoroughly again.
Then transfer the rice and split yellow gram into a vessel with boiling hot water and set aside.
Main Cooking:
In a heavy bottom vessel heat some of the cooking medium. You could use either ghee or clarified butter or even regular cooking oil.
Once the cooking medium is nice and hot, add the cumin seeds.
Allow the seeds to splutter and lend flavor to the cooking medium.
One by one, add the ginger and garlic paste, green chilies, peppercorns, cloves and cardamom and asafetida.
Stir fry all the ingredients till they mix well.
Then add the turmeric powder and continue to cook till the mixture turns a nice light golden brown.
This should take around 2-3 minutes of kitchen time.
Drain the split yellow gram and rice and add it to the prepared seasoning.
Add enough salt and just enough water (about 2 cups).
Close the gas flame only when the mixture is mushy.
If you prefer to work with a pressure cooker, all that you have to do is place all the ingredients together in the cooker and pressure cook for around 4 whistles.
