Durga Pujo Special " Khichuri bhog"

Well, the festive season is ON and i am sure many people, like me, are away from home, family & friends and missing this paparazzi of Pujo...
Nevertheless, there are somethings which u cant achieve so why not pep up your mood and rush to the kitchen.. I am sure the aroma from the kitchen can subside your pain to some extent if not completely.

So, presenting to you a dish which is most awaited during Durga pujo..

Any guesses?????

Ya.... Khichudi bhog

Todays preparation will be with minimal ingredients available in most household, but it definitely will light up your mood and taste buds and make you feel near to home and your loved ones.

Pujo Special "Khichudi Bhog"

Preparation time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup rice (any preferred variety- gobindobhog, basmati or normal rice. I have used normal fine sharp grained rice, not basmati)
1/2 cup moong dal
2 inch ginger
1 tomato finely chopped
2 green chillies
1 dry red chilli
Whole garam masala (2 cardamom, small cinnamon, 4 cloves, 1 bay leave)
Chopped vegetables: carrot, raddish, capsicum & potato ( Chop them into medium sized cubes. You can add vegetables of your choice like peans, beans etc... i have made the preparation with vegetables available at home)
2 tbsp Amul ghee
3 cups of water

dry masalas:
1.5 tsp turmeric powder
1.5 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp red chilli powder
1.5 tsp garam masala powder
1 tbsp Sugar
Salt

Method:

1. Wash rice and moong dal separately and drain the water and keep it aside.
2. Now, heat a pressure cooker  and roast the moong dal till it turns light brown in colour.
3. Remove the moong dal and keep it aside.
4. Now add 2 tbsp amul ghee (you can use morton ghee or any variety available)
5. Once the ghee melts and is hot, add cumin seeds, dry red chilli, whole garam masala and let it splutter.
6. To this, add grated ginger and tomato.
7. Add the green chillies. Stir it properly.
8. Cook it in a medium flame.
9. To this add the dry masalas except the garam masala now. 
10. Stir it properly for 3-4 mins till oil starts separating.
11. To this, add salt and mix. Add little water, mix the masala dn stir it properly.
12. Now add, the chopped vegetables and mix them properly.
13. Cook them for 2-3 mins in the masala.
14. Now add the rice and dal and stir it properly.
15. Cook it for a minute or two and mix it properly.
16. Add sugar and garam masala powder
17. To this add water and bring it to boil.
18. Then close the cooker lid and let it whistle.
19. Give 3-4 whistles and then turn off the gas.
20. Keep it aside and let it cool.
21. Serve hot with tomato chutney, papad and a spicy curry.