Khichuri (Lentil-Rice cooked together in spices)

"Khichuri

"Khichuri" is super duper easy, healthy n quick one pot recipe. It's perfect for one of "THOSE" lazy days when you don't want to cook anything elaborate but yet want something healthy using least of the utensils n time.
This dish arises from the Eastern part of India and is also served as prasad in Durga Puja/Saraswati Puja/Kali Puja (Festivals) in Bengal.

Khichuri is usually made with white rice along with lentils, vegetables(potato, cauliflower, carrots, etc) and spices however I'm using brown rice for this recipe.

Suggestion: You may measure the dry ingredients & spices and keep them stored in air-tight container for future use.

Serves: 2

Serving Suggestion: Serve hot with plain yogurt, pickle & papadum 

Tools:

1 Medium Pressure Cooker

1 Large Bowl

Ingredients:

1 Cup Basmati Brown Rice – You may use any rice of your choice

½ Cup Split Yellow Lentil (Moong Dhuli)

½ Cup Red Lentil (Masoor Dhuli)

¼ Cup Spinach – You may use frozen or fresh spinach as per availability

½ Large Boiled Potato – Chopped into bite size pieces

½ Large Onion – Thinly chopped

1 Green Chili – Thinly Chopped

2 Tbsp of Olive Oil – You may use any flavorless oil

1 Tbsp of Clarified Butter(Ghee) - Optional 

3 Cups Water (For making Khichuri)– Room Temperature

2 Cups of Water (For soaking rice+lentils)

Whole Spices:

1 Large Bay Leaf(Tej Patta)

1 Black Cardamom(Badi Elaichi)

2 Cloves(Laung)

1 Stick of Cinnamon(Dalchini)

5 Black Pepper Corns(Kali Mirch)

Powdered Spices:

2 Pinch of Asafetida(Hing)

1 Tsp Garam Masala

½ Tsp Turmeric

1 Tsp Red Chili Powder

2 Tsp Salt (As per your taste)

Method:

Prep Work: In a large pot, soak rice+lentils in 2cups of water for 1hr. (Drain the grains and keep  
                     aside)

1. Heat 2tbsp of oil, butter(ghee) in a pressure cooker for 1/2min on high flame.
2. Reduce heat to medium, add onions and sauté for a min.
3. Add all the whole spices, sauté for 2-3min till onions are pink in color.
4. Now add spinach, potato, green chili and sauté for another 2min.
5. Add pre-soaked rice+lentils and sauté for 2-3min till everything is mixed together.
6. Add powdered spices and sauté for another minute.
7. Now add 3cups of water and close the pressure lid and turn the heat to high.
8. Turn off the heat after 3whistles and let the pressure cooker cool.
9. Serve Khichuri with plain yogurt, pickle and papadum.