Toor Dal Kichidi

Sometimes putting together few simple dishes can make a meal amazingly satisfying. One of such meal is Toor dal Kichidi paired with Tomato chutney and Majjiga Charu (Seasoned yogurt). The Kichidi is quick to make with very less prep involved and whole family friendly. It can also be simply had with a pickle and Yogurt on the side. 

Toor dal Kichidi is different from regular Moong dal kichidi. It has no spices involved. The simple version of it uses onions,green chillies and a variation to it is, addition of veggies like carrots,potatoes. Garlic cloves are added whole. As a kid I used to hate the Garlic cloves taste in this recipe :-). So I always omit them. Even though the traditional recipe does not add ginger, I sometime add chopped ginger pieces as I like the flavor.So the recipe is pretty simple and little adjustments can be made according to one's taste.

Toor dal Kichidi is usually served with a pickle on the side as the motto here is to prep something simple and fast without lot of effort. If you have extra time on hand or want to make the meal extra delicious, serve it with Tomato chutney and Majjiga Charu (Spicy Yogurt). You have to try it to believe it. It is really a delicious meal. Tomato chutney is Tangy, spicy and perfect with Kichidi. The same chutney can be had with Plain Rice, Dosa or even with Pulao.So it is a versatile recipe. Majjiga Charu is a very simple Yogurt dish where Yogurt is seasoned with usual Tadka and few other ingredients. You can make this with Yogurt that turned tangy. It can be had with plain rice too.

Variations and Tips: Toor dal kichidi can be made with regular rice(I use sona Masoori rice) or with Long grain rice. The dish made with long grain rice resembles the Kichidi made with new crop of rice in India. When its time the new crop of rice (Kotta Biyyam) is available in markets my grand ma makes the Kichidi using that rice. It has a great texture and tastes delicious. 

This Kichidi can be cooked using rice cooker or in a vessel on stove top. When using long grain rice I cook on stove top. Regularly I use Rice cooker coz it's fast.

Carrots and potatoes are usually added to this recipe but you can add other veggies if you like. 

You can add Pearl onions or regular onions to this recipe.  

You can adjust spice accordingly. 

If you are looking for more Rice recipes try my Soy Tawa Pulao, Tomato Paneer Pulao, Ven Pongal (Pongal) or Schezwan fried rice. All these can be put together in no time and are perfect to have by themselves or with Raita.

Servings:

Three (2-3 )

Total Time:

45 min

Ingredients (I use US standard measuring; 1cup=8oz=250ml):

• 1 cup Rice
• 1/4 cup Toor dal
• 1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
• 1 medium size Onion
• 4-5 garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp chopped, small ginger pieces optionally
• 2 Green chillies or adjust
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric
• Salt to taste
• 1 small potato optionally
• 1 carrot optionally
• Curry leaves

Toor dal Kichidi Step wise Recipe

1. Chop 1 medium size onion into big pieces or use peeled pearl onions.
2. Chop 1 small Potato and 1 carrot into medium size pieces.
3. Chop green chillies into small pieces.
   
4. Chop Ginger into small pieces. Chop peeled garlic cloves into halves if they are too big or use whole. You can use more or less garlic cloves depending on your liking.
5. Take 1 cup Rice,1/4 cup Toor dal in a Rice cooker bowl and rinse with water. Add 3 cups water. Keep aside. The ratio is 1 (Rice+Dal) to 2.5 cups water. Depending on your rice more or less can be used. 
6. In a pan, add 3 tablespoons oil. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds. When they splutter add a sprig of curry leaves. 
7. Add garlic cloves and ginger pieces. Fry em. You can skip adding these two.
8. Add green chillies and fry them.
9. Add Onions next. Cook till they turn transparent.
10. Add any veggies you are using now. Cook for couple minutes. Rest will be done in the Rice cooker.
11. Add 1/4 tspTurmeric and salt to taste.
12. Now transfer the contents in fry pan to the Rice cooker bowl.
13. Mix everything and cook till done.
14. Mix Rice once it is done. Serve.
15. If you are using Long grain rice and cooking on stove top, use 1cup(Rice+Dal) to 3 cups water Ratio. Cook according to the recipe till Kichidi is done. Serve hot for maximum taste.