Khichdi / Masala Khichdi / Vegetable Khichdi | One pot Rice meals

Khichdi is something I make at home at least once in a week,sometimes more.It was Arjun's first solid food.Initially I made it without any spices for him but now I just make one batch,for us as well as for him.I couldn't believe such a simple dish created such a furore of being called the National dish by some while some argued it is not.There is no doubt about one thing however,and that is the taste!

It packs in flavor as well as nutrition since it is a one pot meal consisting of rice,dals and vegetables.You could completely customize it according to your taste.Don't like rice?Add millets!Don't like vegetables?Make it plain!Or add vegetables of your choice!!Don't like spices?It tastes good with just a tadka of ghee and jeera!

Served warm with a dollop of ghee on top,this absolutely tastes divine.You need to eat it to believe it :)

Khichdi / Masala Khichdi / Vegetable Khichdi

Ingredients

Raw rice - 1/2 cup
Dal - 1/4 cup (I used a mixof Toor dal,Moong dal and Masoor dal)
Onion -1 small,chopped
Tomato - 1/2 medium sized tomato,chopped
Capsicum - 1/2 of a small capsicum,chopped
Carrot - 1 small,chopped
Beans - 4-5,chopped
Pumpkin - about roughly 1 cup,chopped
Water-3 cups

For the tadka

Oil+ghee - 1 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
Jeera - 1/4 tsp
Whole peppercorns - about 5-6
Curry leaves- a few
Hing - a pinch
Ginger garlic paste - 1/2 tsp(optional)
Haldi - 1/4 tsp
Chilly powder - 1/4 tsp
Coriander powder - 1/4 tsp
Garam masala - 1/4 tsp
Salt to taste
Ghee - 1 tbsp

Method

Wash and soak together rice and the dals for about 30-45 minutes.
In a pressure cooker add oil/ghee and splutter mustard seeds and jeera.Add in the peppercorns and curry leaves.
Now add the hing and chopped onions and saute for a minute.
Add the ginger garlic paste and saute for a minute or till the raw smell of the paste disappears.
Now add tomato and the vegetables and give a good mix.
Time to add the spice powders - haldi,chilly,coriander and garam masala.
Give it a good mix.
Add the drained rice and dal mix and add salt to taste.
Add water and check for seasoning.Close the cooker and cook for 2-3 whistles on high and simmer for another 10 minutes.
Switch off the flame and let the pressure settle down.
Open and mix well.If you feel it is watery,simmer for a few minutes more and if you feel it is dry add hot water till it reaches the consistency of your choice.
Add ghee and close the cooker and let the flavors infuse.
Serve warm with some more ghee :)

Step by Step Pictorial

Wash and soak together rice and the dals for about 30-45 minutes.

Wash and chop the vegetables.

In a pressure cooker add oil/ghee and 

splutter mustard seeds and 

jeera.

Add in the peppercorns and 

curry leaves.

Now add the hing and 

chopped onions and saute for a minute.

Add the ginger garlic paste and saute for a minute or till the raw smell of the paste disappears.

Now add tomato and the 

vegetables and give a good mix.
Time to add the spice powders - 

haldi,

chilly,

coriander and 

garam masala.

Give it a good mix.

Add the drained rice and dal mix and 

add salt to taste.

Add water and check for seasoning.Close the cooker and cook for 2-3 whistles on high and simmer for another 10 minutes.
Switch off the flame and let the pressure settle down.

Open and mix well.If you feel it is watery,simmer for a few minutes more and if you feel it is dry add hot water till it reaches the consistency of your choice.

Add ghee and close the cooker and let the flavors infuse.
Serve warm with some more ghee :)

Here's a small video :)

Notes

• The spice powders can be added more/less according to your taste palettes.Since I am serving this to Arjun as well,I keep it to the bare minimum.
• You can add any vegetables of your choice,I sometimes add only carrots and beans or only potatoes or then a medley of vegetables like I've used here.
• The water quantity is approximate.You may need less or more depending on the amount of vegetables you add or depending on the cooking time.Like I said,once you open the cooker you could add more water or simmer and cook till the Khichdi reaches the consistency of your choice.

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