Khichuri - Bengali khichadi

Reminds me of durga puja feasts! Loved by Bengalis Khichuri is an essential part of any Bengali religious festival. Khichuri can be made in various versions - with or without vegetables, with or without meat or with both.The lentils used can also be of different kinds. You can use Moong daal, masoor daal or chana daal.
Here I am making a very simple version of Khichuri using potatoes and red lentils.

Ingredients: 
Rice - 250 ml
Red split lentils (masoor daal) - 250 ml
Potatoes -2 
Ginger paste - 1tablespoon
Green chili - 1
Oil - 2 tablespoons
Salt - to taste
Sugar - 1 teaspoon
Spices set 1- Whole garam masala
Cinnamon - 1 3 inch stick
Cardamom - 4
Black cardamom - 1
Bay leaf - 1 
Cloves - 4
Spices set 2
Cumin powder - 2 tsp
Coriander powder - 2 tbsp
Turmeric powder - 2 tsp
Chili powder - To taste
Garam masala powder - 1 tsp


Step 1: Mix the daal and the rice and soak them in water for an hour. After that drain the water and keep them aside.

                                               

Step 2: Cut the potatoes into small cubes. Chop the green chili.

Step 3: Heat oil in a pan. Add the spices in set 1. Turn the heat to medium. Fry the spices for a minute.

Step 4: Add the potatoes and fry for 4-5 minutes.Then take them out. 

Step 5: Now in a separate bowl , add  the spices in set 2 and two tablespoons of water. Mix well. 

Step 6: Add this mixture to the oil.Also add the chopped chili and the ginger paste. Cook for a few minutes , till the oil separates from the mixture.

Step 7: Now add the daal and rice from step 1. Coat it thoroughly with the mixture. Keep frying for 3-4 minutes. 

Then add the potatoes. 

Step 8: Cook for a further 3 minutes. 


Step 9: Add 600 ml of water. (The water can be added depending on your preferred consistency for khichuri, I like the traditional watery khichuri). Add salt to taste. Add 1 tsp of sugar.

Step 10: Close the lid and cook till the rice and daal are cooked. 


Step 11: Enjoy your "Khicuhri".