Broken Wheat Khichdi

Khichdi is served generally in the northern part of India. It is a mixture of rice and moong dal. It’s a meal by itself and is very healthy too.

Not to be confused with the khichdi from the GSB community (Konkani speaking ) which is sweet in taste and a mixture of jaggery, thick Semolina /Bansi rawa (broken wheat can also be used) and channa dal (split black gram).
In Tamil Nadu, Khichdi is called as "Pongal" and is slightly different from the way it is prepared in the north.

However this recipe is from the TV-personality and Chef, Sanjeev Kapoor which I found is not only healthy and tasty but also easy to prepare. Since it is liked by all in the family, I make it quite often.

Ingredients:

Broken wheat	1 cup
Green gram (moong) dal	½ cup
Carrots diced	¼ cup
Green Peas	¼ cup
Salt	As per taste
Turmeric powder	¼ tsp
Water	21/2cups
For seasoning
Oil	2-3 tsps
Cumin (jeera)	1 tsp
Onions (chopped)	1 medium
Black pepper (whole)	4-5
Curry leaves	1 sprig
Green chilies	1 (or as per taste)
Ginger (chopped)	1/2 inch pc

Method:

1. Wash & soak separately, green gram (moong) dal and the broken wheat in water for about 1 hour.  Then drain the water and keep them aside.
2. Heat a pan on a medium flame. Add the seasoning ingredients one by one in the order mentioned above.
3. When the onions turn translucent, add the diced carrots and green peas. Fry for a while and then add turmeric and salt. Mix well.
4. Finally add the soaked and drained broken wheat and green gram dal. Give it a good stir.
5. Add water. Now increase the flame. Once the water starts boiling, lower the flame to minimum, cover the pan and let it cook. This will take about 12-15 mins.
6. Serve hot.

Note:

• You can add any vegetables of your choice – beans, cauliflower, capsicum etc.
• I used frozen greenpeas. You can use fresh ones too in which case it will take a little longer to cook.
• This goes well with tomato & onion  raita. You can make any raita of your choice.