This is a special vegetarian variety which is cooked during the festivals ,holy ceremonies or can be a delicious meal for the kids.it has a heavenly aroma.This post is specially for Foodies community and I am posting a meal for the infants.
For the adults one can make it spicy and for kids keep it simple but yet it is,flavorful,aromatic and delicious.You can feed this to a child from 6 months onward.my daughter still now loves this meal in any form.
When you make this for an infant ,the type and quantity of lentil you are using is very important.The amount of lentils used should be less in amount as it is rich in protein and too much of it can make the stomach upset but it is a wholesome meal.This lentils is made from the split moong beans with their outer skins removed which makes them relatively easy to digest.This can be consumed also by adults on days when they are sick and need energy.
A richer variety can be made with the same lentils dry roasted in a pan and adding more chilies and spices to it.
Note:You have to note that this meal is very beneficial for the kids and you can make a huge number of varieties from it ,even add meat but for infants ,according to my experience ,one should add vegetables but minimum as the digestive power of the infants is not like the adults but vegetables like carrots ,spinach ,raw bananas ,potatoes etc are essential for their bone and brain growth.
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Ingredients
1.Split yellow Moong dal(1/2 cup)
2.Rice (1 cup)
3.Ginger (grated 1 tbsp)
4.Green chillies (paste 1 tsp)[optional omit in case of infants]
5. cardamom(2 )
6.Cinnamon(1 stick)
7.Cloves (3 to 4)
8.Clarified butter or ghee (3 to 4 tbsp)
9.Turmeric powder (1/2 tsp)
10.Cumin powder(1/2 tsp)
11.Carrots(finely chopped)[ 1/4th cup]
12.potatoes[cubed 1 potato]
13.Spinach[chopped 1 tbsp][optional]
14.Cauliflower [1/2 cup florets][not suitable for infants]
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Preparation
1.Wash rice and lentils together and add to a pan with enough water to cover them.
2.it should be more than double the quantity.almost 5 cups of water for 2 cups of rice and lentils mix.
3.Add turmeric powder,salt ,a tsp of sugar,ginger,cumin powder and add the veggies and cook for 15 to 20 minutes in slow flame till the lentils get almost dissolved and rice gets tender .
4.When the mixture gets mushy ,you can cook it till the consistency your kid likes,some kids like to eat dry,some like soupy food.
5.in a small pan add clarified butter ,and add cinnamon,cloves and cardamom and fry.Add this aromatic mixture in the khichdi and mix.
6.Garnish with coriander leaves and serve immediately.