MULTI-GRAIN KHICHDI

This is a very healthy khichdi recipe. There is always a feeling that khichdi is a sick man's food but it is definitely not so. A simple dish like khichdi can be made into an interesting and delicious one-pot meal by adding lentils, vegetables and tempering to it. You can just relish it without any side dish to go with it except some papad or pickle.

Ingredients:
Brown rice ... .....    1/4 cup
Parboiled rice ....... 1/4 cup
Quinoa .................. 1/4 cup
Red lentils .............  2 tbsps
Moong dal ............. 2 tbsps
Toor dal ................ 2 tbsps
Black eyed beans or Azuki beans .. 2 tbsps
Sesame seeds ........... 1 tbsp
Flax seeds ................ 1 tbsp
Tomato .................. 1(chopped)
Ginger .................... 1 tsp (grated)
Garlic ...................... 1 tsp (crushed)
Carrot ..................... handful (cut into pieces)
Green peas ............. handful
Green beans ......... 2-3 (cut into pieces)
Spinach ............... few leaves (chopped)
Coriander leaves .. handful
Cinnamon stick ..... 1 small piece
Asafoetida ............. a generous pinch
Turmeric powder .... 1/4 tsp
Red chilli powder ... 1/4 tsp (add more if you like it spicy)
Cumin seeds .......... 1 tbsp
Salt ........... to taste
Oil / ghee

Method:
1. Soak the mixed grains for a few hours.
2. In a pressure cooker heat a little oil. Add the asafoetida, cinnamon stick and cumin seeds. When they crackle add the ginger and garlic. Saute.
3. Now add the tomatoes and the chopped vegetables. Simmer fior a minute until the tomato is cooked.
4. Now add the greens and the mixed grains. Also add the spice powders and salt. Mix well.
5. If the grains are 1 cup, then add 2 and 1/2 cups water. If you want a very soft consistency then add 3 cups.
6. Pressure cook it until done. (after the first whistle, leave it on sim)
Serve hot. You can mix a spoon of ghee in it if you like. It tastes yum !