Dal Khichdi Restaurants style ( Tadka Dal Khichdi )

Khichdi is a commonly known comfort meal from every part of India- whether it's north, south, east, or west.

Plain Khichdi topped with Ghee and pickle, and a side of papad is my favorite on a busy day. It can be a quick meal on your busy weekdays. Every family has their own unique recipes for Khichdi. 

Khichdi has united India in geographical expense with its flavor. Out of a simple assortment of rice, dal (lentils or quickly cooked pulses) & hint a of spices, to a potpourri of scrumptious ingredients with a local spin in almost every corner of the world, Khichdi has come a long way in delighting generations of foodies. There are many variations, as some people like it plain without any spice, some people like Masala Khichdi, and there are some like it with vegetables in it. 

Khichadi is a contemporary food of India. It's been centuries since people started to eat this meal. Ancient Indian texts talked about this dish. The name of such a nutritious dish has its origins in the Sanskrit word Khicca,(खिच्चा ) which translates to ‘prepared with the mixture of rice and pulses’.

                                                                                                                                                                             

A famous philosopher from the ancient age, Chanakya and the prime minister of the  Magadha emperor Chandragupta Maurya, wrote about a balanced dish that could possibly be taken as khichdi. Khichdi has captured the imagination of various foreign visitors across history. The famous Moroccan traveller in Battuta mentioned khichdi as an Indian dish, made from rice and moong beans, during his stay in India around the 14th century A.D.!

Rice is gluten free and easy to digest at night. Adding Dal (lentils, or quickly cooked pulses) which has lots of protein and fiber makes it a complete balanced meal. 

It is considered as one of the first solid foods for babies. A wholesome and comforting dish, Khichdi has the right mix of carbs, proteins, fibres, vitamins & other essential nutrients.

Here I am sharing a recipe which is very commonly known in Indian Restaurants as Dal Khichdi, Tadka Dal Khichdi or Dubba Khichdi (tiffin box style), which is one of the modern variations of Khichdi. There are a couple of varieties. You can check the tips below for a quick way of making this which comes out in less than 30 min. 

Total time: 40 min 

Prep Time: 15 min 

Cook Time: 25 min

   

Here is a recipe for Dal Khichdi Restaurants style.

Ingredients

• Rice: 1 cup 

• Toor Dal (pigeon pea) : ½ cup 

• Masoor Dal (pinkish-red lentis ) : ¼ cup 

• Mung beans split Dal: ¼ cup 

• Onion: 1 cup (chopped) 

• Tomatoes: ½ cup (chopped)

• Garlic: 1 tsp (paste) 

• Ginger: 1 tsp  (paste) 

• Green Chillies: 1 tsp (chopped) 

• Cilantro: 2 tsp (chopped) 

• Garam Masala powder: 1 tsp 

• Turmeric powder: 1 tsp 

• Red Chillies powder: ½ tsp

• Salt: 1 tsp (according to your taste)

• Cumin seeds: 1 tsp 

• Whole red Chillies: 2 piece

• Oil : 2-3 tsp 

• Ghee: 1 tsp 

1. First wash Dals and Rice separately. 

2. Soak rice for 10 min.

3. Pressure cook Dal with some salt and Turmeric powder while cooking.

4. In one pan add 3-4 cup water, let it boil, add salt and  ½ ghee (oil).

5. Cook rice for 5-8 min. 

6. When rice is almost cooked, drain the remaining water and stir it, keep it on the side.

7. In another small pan, add oil-- once it heats up then add Cumin seeds and whole red Chillies. 

8. Add Ginger,Garlic paste. Add chopped Chilies. Cook for 1 minute.

9. Add chopped Onions and some salt, cook until it is golden brown.

10. Add Tomatoes and add red Chilli powder, Turmeric powder, Garam Masala powder, salt and cook for 2-3 min.

11. Now mix pressure cooked dal and boiled rice in one pan then on this mixer add your cooked onion and tomato gravy. 

12. Mix all ingredients, give a good stir.

13. Add cilantro on top.

14. Enjoy it with some pickle, papad and raita or plain yogurt. 

                                                                                              

                                                  

Tips:  

• To save some time, boil rice and dal together. Then add your vegetables on top.Only reason I like to cook it separately is because I like to keep rice in its shape. 

• Cook it in an instant pot: turn on saute mode on medium high, add first do tempering  and add vegetables,cook for min add rice and close lid  pressure on cook for 5 min on high let it loose pressure before you open it. cook all together as one pot dish.

• For plain Khichdi:  just pressure cook rice and lentils together with  some salt and Turmeric powder, eat it with yogurt or milk, add olive oil or Ghee on top.