30 minute K meal- Kadhi Khichadi Koshimbir

I know u must be wondering whether I am too much into Ekta Kapoor serial these days.. Well fortunately nothing if that sort.. Its just coincidence that all dishes for "Summer Express Cooking Event" start with a K.. Kadhi Khichadi, a famous Maharashtrian combo with the Maharashtrian Koshimbir, tomato-onion-cucumber salad! I was very glad to hear about this event.. This was the first thing that came to my mind. Coz its usually the shortcut dinner at my place quite a lot of times! :D Am eagerly waiting for the roundup to get ideas and options for other quick meals.. I really need these since I'll be starting my Masters next month and will be attending college full time! : Hope I get time to do some blogging on weekends!

My kadhi khichadi koshimbir meal is perfectly ready in 30 mins with some rest time as well in between :D Well no intermediate snaps posted since I didnt waste any time taking snaps and then finishing up everything! ;) I proceeded like this.....

Kadhi-Khicadi-Koshimbir

What you need:

For Khichadi:
1 cup Rice
1/2 cup Moong Dal
2 tbsp Oil
1 tsp Mustard seeds
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
1 big Onion, chopped
3 cloves Garlic, chopped
2 tbsp Peanuts
1 tsp Red Chilli Powder
1 tsp Maharashtrian Goda masala (can be substituted by 1/2 tsp Cumin Powder+1/2 tsp Corriander Powder+1tsp Garam Masala)
1/2 tsp Turmeric
Salt
Water
Corriander for garnish

For Kadhi:
1 cup Yoghurt
2-3 tsp Besan
Small piece of Jaggery
Salt (depends on sourness of curd)
5-6 Curry Leaves
1 tsp Mustard Seeds
1 tsp Ginger Chilli paste
A pinch of Asafoetida
1/4 tsp Turmeric

For Koshimbir:
1/2 cup Thick Yoghurt
1 small Onion, finely chopped
1 Tomato, chopped
3-4 tbsp Chopped Cucumber
2-3 tsp roasted Peanut Powder
1/2 tsp Red Chilli Powder
1/2 tsp Cumin Powder
A pinch of Sugar
Salt to taste

How to Proceed:

0-5 mins:
1) Mix rice and dal, wash, drain and leave aside
2) Chop 2 medium sized Onions
3) Heat oil in a cooker and add mustard and cumin seeds to it
4) Add chopped 11/2 onion (leave aside half onion for koshimbir) and garlic to oil and saute for 2 mins

5-10 mins:
5) Add peanuts and other spices (red chilli powder, turmeric, goda masala/garam masala, cumin and corriander powder)
6) Now add rice and dal and mix well for a minute..
7) Add 31/2 cups of Water and salt as required and mix well..
8) Close the cooker and let the khichdi cook for 3 whistles

10-15 mins:
9) Take a mixing bowl, add 1 cup yoghurt and 1 cup water to it.. The mixture should not be too thin
10) Add besan, jaggery and salt to it.. Mix well to avoid any lump formation
11) Heat 1 tsp Oil, add curry leaves,hing, mustard seeds and ginger chilli paste to it..
12) Saute for a minute and transfer the buttermilk-besan mixture to this.
13) Let this cook on medium heat

15-20 mins:
14) Chop cucumber and tomato
15) Take 1/2 cup yoghurt in a mixing bowl and add chopped onions, cucumber and tomato to it.. 16) Add rest of the ingredients- roasted peanut powder,red chilli powder,cumin powder,sugar and salt and mix well
17) Koshimbir ready, keep it in fridge to cool
18) Stir the kadhi

20-25 mins:
19) Keep stiring the kadhi at intervals of 2-3 mins
20) Keep your ears tuned to the whistle else you'll miss the count ;)
21) The khichdi is ready in this interval, keep cooker aside to cool
22) After stirring the kadhi, you have some time to rest.. Dont sit down.. Roast some papads on the gas thats just free from cooker! :D

25-30 mins:
23) Kadhi starts boiling, switch off gas (Total time required for kadhi to boil is 10-12 mins)
24) Now the semi-cooled cooker and extra hot kadhi is set on the table
25) Take dishes, bowls and spoons and set the table
26) The cooker cools completely.. Remove koshimbir from fridge and get ready to dine!! :)

* I enjoy plain khichdi.. You can add vegetables like potatoes, peas, brinjals, cauliflower etc. if you like.. Khichadi can be served with some pickles as well!