Ram Khichdi (Mixed vegetables moong dal khichdi)

While hunting for recipes for my Gujarati meal in Tarla Dalal ji's site, I came across this yummy khichdi which is very easy to make. This is a traditional Gujarati khichdi from the land of Kathiyavad. It is infact a complete meal by itself as it is loaded with different vegetables and tastes best with a simple kadhi or even a pappad.

INGREDIENTS:

• Yellow moong dal - 1/2 cup
• Uncooked rice - 1/2 cup
• Ghee - 1 Tbsp
• Cloves - 2
• Cinnamon stick - 1'' piece
• Bay leaf - 1
• Cumin seeds - 1/2 Tsp
• Mixed vegetables, chopped (cauliflower, beans, carrot, peas, potato) - 1 cup
• Onions - 1/2 cup, finely chopped
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 Tsp
• Red chilli powder - 1 Tsp
• Garam masala - 1/2 Tsp
• Salt - as needed

METHOD:

1. Clean, wash and soak moong dal and rice together in enough water for 15 minutes. Drain and keep aside
2. Heat ghee/oil in a pressure cooker and add the cumin seeds, cinnamon, cloves and bay leaf
3. When the cumin seeds start to sizzle, add the onions and saute till they become translucent
4. Add the chopped vegetables, turmeric, red chilli powder, garam masala and saute in medium flame for 4 minutes
5. Add rice, moong dal, salt and saute for a few minutes on a medium flame
6. Add 4 cups of water, mix well and pressure cook for 4 whistles
7. Serve hot with kadhi and pappad