Manipuri Khichadi

Ingredients:

1 cup basmati rice
¼ cup tuvar dal
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 tsp ginger garlic paste
2 tbsp peanuts, skinned
1 tsp cumin seeds
3 each of bay leaves, cardamom pods, cloves and red chillies
¼ tsp turmeric powder
salt to taste
1 tbsp oil
2 tbsp ghee

Method:

Cook the rice and dal till done but firm.

Heat the oil and ghee, add the peanuts and sauté till golden. Now add the bay leaves, cardamom, cloves, red chillies and cumin. Stir a couple of times and add the onions, sautéing till golden and soft. Add the turmeric powder, stir, and then add the cooked rice and dal. Salt as required. Take off the heat and mix everything, gently till well coated with the onion and spice.

Serve hot.

Ootti

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups white peas
1 big onion, finely sliced
1 ½ “ginger, finely chopped
1 tsp cumin seeds
3-4 red chillies
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp cooking soda
1 tbsp oil
salt to taste

Method:

Soak the peas in water for about 5-6 hours and cook till done but firm. Put the peas into a pan, add one cup water, salt and the cooking soda. Bring it to a boil. There will be a lot of froth from the soda! I have never cooked (baked, yes) with cooking soda and it seems to make the peas a bit mushy.

In another pan, heat the oil and add the bay leave, cumin and chillies. Just sauté and add the ginger and onion. Saute till onions are brown. Pour this into the peas and mix well.

Serve hot.

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