Fada Ni Khichdi

I cook broken wheat just like rice and, at times, use the two interchangeably. Most of the time, one can easily tell that it is not rice. But in this Gujju dish, it is next to impossible to make out that there is no rice. I think I just might stop making rice khichdi altogether.

3/4 cup Broken Wheat (Dalia), soaked for 30 minutes

1 cup Green Gram (Moong) Dal, washed and drained

1 tsp Oil

1 Onion, chopped

2 cups Mixed Vegetables (Carrots, Beans, Peas, Cauliflower, Potatoes)

1/4 tsp Mustard Seeds

1 tsp Cumin Seeds

1 tsp Peppercorns

1” piece Cinnamon

2 Cloves

1 tsp Green Chilli Paste

¼ tsp Asafoetida

Salt to taste

Heat the oil in a pressure cooker and add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, asafoetida, peppercorns, cinnamon and cloves. After a couple of minutes, add the onions and fry for a minute. Drain the dalia. When the cumin crackles add the dalia, dal and vegetables. Fry for a minute and add the chilli paste and salt. Add about 4-5 cups of boiling hot water and cook for 20 minutes (4-5 whistles).

We had this with some kadhi. It was a complete wholesome meal. Perfect for those weeknights when you are too tired to dish out something elaborate.