Swaminarayan Khichdi - Vegetable Medley Kedgeree

Made n Enjoyed
Hello readers,

Holiday memories are worth cherishing and holding onto.

 

Our recent trip to India, for my daughter it was most memorable, sentimental and different experience. She met my dad and my sister second time and she had pleasant time with them. I took her first time when she was tiny, so she didn't remember anything. In a way this is her first time as proper time in India.. and India is a hot topic in my house...whether it is about people we met, travel or food ! 

 

We always love to discover and try out new tastes and dishes while we are on holiday... However for our health and safety reasons we did not indulge much in street food, we strictly stuck to homemade food and while we were on tour, good restaurants food in India.

 

 

But we couldn't deprive ourselves when we went to this beautiful and largest Swaminarayn Temple in Gandhinagar , Gujarat. It's very popular among tourists visiting Gujarat.  The majestic, intricately carved stone structure stands amid sprawling gardens.The garden which is named Sahajanand Van is a unique blend of contemplative garden and children's park. It encloses a single-piece marble sculpture of Lord Swaminarayan and includes cultural spots; rides and games for children; herbal garden; a lake and a waterfall.

 

A breathtaking, enchanting and magical Sat-Chit-Anand water show was highlight of our evening. On top of that when we visited their food court we were spoil ed for choice of food that was on offer. From basic homely tasty food to street food and of course so many fusion dishes were available, but we settled for their speciality Swaminarayan Khichdi...served with set yogurt and it was 100% up to scratch ! It was homely, comforting and suited our palate. That taste was lingering in our mouths. This vegetable medely khichdi stayed in our memory and whenever we make it at home it refreshes our memories of great time of our holiday...!

 

 

It is very hard what to call Khichdi in English ? I googled and few answers came as Hodgepodge or Kedgeree. Khichdi is a humble, soothing, easily digestable and finger licking dish which is made with rice and lentils. Many times whole spices and vegetables added to make one pot meal. I've heard over and over again that Khihdi is for the sick or older persons , I totally disagree with it ! I give full respect to this simple yet awesome dish which you can have all around the year round with plain yogurt, pickles and papad. If you really want to indulge the taste then add dollop of ghee.. naughty but nice :D

 

Swaminarayan food is cooked without onion, garlic and hing ( asafoetida ) . But I've made this khichdi with few changes of my own to suit our taste buds.

 

 

You will need :-

 

1 cup rice

1/2 cup toor daal

1 1/2 cup mix vegetables cut - capsicum, aubergine, bottle gourd, peas, cauliflower, carrots etc. ( choice is yours )

1 small potato - peeled and cubed

1 tomato chopped

1 small chopped onion ( optional )

4-5 cloves garlic chopped

1/4 cup raw peanuts

1-2 tbsp crushed ginger and green chillies

Salt to taste

2-3 tbsp chopped fresh coriander

1 tsp red chilli powder

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1 tbsp cumin and coriander powder

 

You will need : - Tadka

 

1 tbsp whole spices - cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves, black pepper powder

1-2 tbsp oil

1 tsp mustard seeds

pinch of hing

1-2 dry red chillies

 

Method :-

Wash rice and tuver daal and soak for 10-15 minutes.

In a large pressure cooker heat  oil, add tadka ingredients , when crackle add onion and saute till light pink. Now add garlic and saute till very light brown. Turn the heat low.

Now add crushed chillies, ginger and all the masala powder and give it a stir.

Add potatoes, tomatoes and other vegetables.

Stir fry for 2-3 minutes.

Now add washed daal and rice and peanuts without water.

Fry this mixture for few minutes then add 4 cups of warm water.

Stir once more, add salt and close the pressure cooker lid.

After 3 whistle turn of the heat.

Let the pressure cooker cool down naturally.

The khichdi should be slightly runny and sticky. If not, then add little water and cook 1-2 minutes.

Open the lid, add fresh chopped coriander leaves. Mix gently.

Serve Hot with fresh yogurt or chaas, pickle and papad.

 

Enjoy as much as my family did !!