Ayurvedic Kichadi


Simple Ayurvedic kichadi to be relished!!!
When we like to kick back and relax and give our digestive system also rest, one pot meal like kichadi comes in handy. The ingredients and spices used in the recipe are absolute minimum and simple that it suits tummies of all ages. In fact this is one recipe that is used by people who break their fast, as it is easy on the digestive system. The ingredients used in the recipe are all suggested in Ayurveda, so we can as well call it as ayurvedic kichadi.

Needed main ingredients
Preparation time: 5 min
Cooking time: 20 min
Serving size: 4
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

Chop vegetables
  • Raw rice - 1 cup (Long grain rice is also fine)
  • Moong dal - 1 cup (Split green gram)
  • Dried red chillies - 2 nos
  • Cloves - 2 nos
  • Cinnamon - 1 stick (2 inch)
  • Lichen (Kadal paasi) - 1 flower
  • Bay leaf - 2 nos
  • Ghee - 3 tsp
  • Coconut pieces - 1/4 cup
  • Coriander powder - 1 tbsp
  • Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp
  • Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
  • Hinge - 1/4 tsp (a pea size if solid)
  • Sambar powder - 1/2 tsp (optional, preferably homemade)
  • Chopped beans - 1/2 cup (optional)
  • Cubed potatoes - 1/4 cup (optional)
  • Salt to taste
Preparation
  1. Wash the dal and rice and keep it aside to soak.
  2. Cut coconut into smaller pieces.
  3. If using vegetables, chop the beans and potatoes into small pieces and set aside.
Cooking


    1. In a pressure cooker big enough to cook 2 cups of rice, add 3 tsp of ghee and warm it on medium heat.
      2. Cook on medium heat as directed
    2. Add the cloves, cinnamon stick, lichen, dried red chillies and give it a saute.
    3. To the spices add the coconut pieces and give it a saute.
    4. If using vegetables add the beans and potato and saute for a minute. Skip this step if not using vegetables. 
    5. To this add the coriander, cumin and turmeric powder and saute for 10 seconds.
    6. Optionally you can add homemade sambar masala, and give it a mix.
    7. Add the soaked dal and rice, and mix it with the masala.
      Be generous in adding water for tasty kichadi
    8. Add 5 cups of water, required amount of salt and give it a stir.
    9. Pressure cook for 4 to 5 whistles.
    10. Serve the tasty and healthy ayurvedic kichadi with a spoon of ghee.
    Health benefits of the Kichadi

    Tasty and satiating Ayurvedic Kichadi ready!
    Moong dal and rice go easy on the digestive system. Hence this kichadi is preferred after fasting. So it can be given to kids as young as a year old and for elderly people 60 and above too. The dal is rich in fiber and protein. The calcium in coconut is good for teeth and bones. Beans is rich in protein and fiber. Brown potato(with skin) provides iron for the body. Red chillies help in clearing mucous membranes in nose, lungs, intestine and urinary tract thus boosting our immune system. Lichen serves as an antibiotic and helps protection against fungal infections. For the health benefits of other spices used, refer Essential Spices for Healthy Cooking.

    Try this simple, yet tasty and satiating one pot meal suitable for all members of the family. Feel free to give me comments on this recipe.

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