red lentil and red rice khichri ...a light cooling lunch for summers..

This is the perfect lunch for those busy days when you want to do a hundred things and have a light lunch cooked in a jiffy . And you also want to eat healthy . A khichri is a healthy light meal otherwise too and if you choose healthier grains like barley or brown or red rice (or wild rice) it becomes your way to a satisfying great meal.

The khichri can be a nice lunch box option too if you pack in some fruits and nuts for between the meals snacking...you may like to pack some roasted papad too..


ingredients...
(2 servings)
red lintils 2-3 tbsp
red rice 2-3 tbsp
salt to taste
turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
chopped tomatoes 1.5 cup
finely chopped garlic 1 tsp
whole cumin seeds 1 tsp
red chilly powder 1/2 tsp
everyday curry powder or any curry powder you like 1 tsp
asafoetida a pinch (optional)
ghee or butter 2 tsp

preparation...

The cooking time for the khichri is about 20 minutes but you just need to work for 5 minutes each to begin and finish the dish.

Wash the lentils and red rice or wild rice and soak for 10-20 minutes if you have time , otherwise pour in the pressure cooker pan with 2 cups of water. Add salt and turmeric powder and the chopped tomatoes and cook covered .

Lower the flame when the first whistle blows and cook for about 10-12 minutes more. Let it cool a bit before proceeding further .

Heat the ghee in a small pan (or tadka pan) and throw in the asafoetida and cumin seeds . Let the cumin splutter before adding the chopped garlic. The garlic needs to get pinkish brown so stir and let the garlic fry. Take the pan off heat.

Add the red chilly and curry powder immediately into the hot ghee and garlic mix and stir to make the powders well absorbed and cooked in the heat. They turn aromatic .

Pour the tadka ( tempering) into the cooked khichdi which should look like a thick soup . Adjust consistency and seasonings if required and serve hot.

This khichri and many other khichris can be a standalone healthy meal . A few roasted papads are great with it and a glass of buttermilk is something what i like. Many people like some raita with it too but it makes a fuss free quick healthy meal for me and i keep it simple.

Simple and yet very very flavorful. Accents of tomatoes and garlic and some heat make the khichri satisfying. The red rice had a nice texture to it . Almost like bulgur and a soupy khichri suits very well to it. The red rice was bought from Chennai some time back and i have been using it extensively in my soups and khichris . My multigrain soups have got another grain to boast for . I am liking the red rice for sure....

Are you trying some red rice ?
Or any other wild rice available in your locality ?