Oats Khichdi (Oats-Lentil Porridge)

Blogging Marathon# 57: Week 4/ Day 1

Theme: Kid's Delight -- Cooking with Whole grains

Dish: Oats Khichdi

We are starting a new week of blogging marathon and my theme for theme this week is 'Kid's Delight -- Cooking with Whole grains' being hosted by lovely Kalyani @ the sizzling tastebuds. Kid's Delight event is a brainchild of Valli.

Coming up with kid approved whole grain dishes was not easy as I thought it would be. My kids are a little picky and I have blogged about most of the whole grain dishes that they eat. So coming up with new ones was a good exercise for the brain. I cook/ bake with brown rice, quinoa, wholewheat flour etc., and they eat most of what I serve.

Idea for this Oats khichdi came from a Telugu cooking show. In the original recipe, the chef used mixed greens in the dish, but I have tried variations with mixed vegetables, just corn, tomato. I was surprised that my picky son came back for seconds whenever I make this dish. So it is a big hit in my house. Serve it for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Ingredients: Serves 2~3

Oats - 1cup
Masoor Dal (red lentil) or Moong dal - ½cup
Ginger - 1" piece, chopped
Veggies of choice - 1cup (potatoes, corn, carrot, green beans, green peas, spinach, methi, tomato etc)
Turmeric - ¼tsp
Green Chilies - 2, slit
Cumin seeds - 1tsp
Asafoetida - ¼tsp
Curry leaves - 8~10
Salt & Pepper - to taste

Method:

• Cook dal (either masoor or moong) until mushy and keep ready.
• Heat 1tbsp oil/ ghee in a large pan, add cumin seeds, asafoetida and curry leaves. Once the seeds change color, add ginger, green chilies and cook for 30 seconds.
• Add the veggies and saute till tender, about 8~10 minutes depending on the veggies used. Par cooking the veggies in the microwave is a great option to expedite the cooking process.
• Once the veggies are cooked, add 1½cups of water and bring to a boil (add more water if you want a soupy khichdi). Add the oats, lower the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer the khichdi until oats are cooked, about 6~8 minutes.
• Stir in the cooked dal, turmeric, salt and pepper. Cook for 5 more minutes. Add some water if the mixture looks too thick. Serve warm with a dollop of ghee on top.

 

Lets check out what my fellow marathoners have cooked today for BM# 57.