Moong Dal Khichdi

This is one of the popular recipes from an Ayurvedic standpoint. Any Ayurvedic class you may attend or a yoga retreat you decide to sign up for, no Ayurvedic experience is complete without enjoying this humble Khichdi.

Moong dal and rice both are extremely easy on our digestive system. In fact, it's baby's first ever solid food. And also excellent for geriatric diet. I call this dish an all-rounder. Athletes, runners. doctors, students, working mothers, everyone can enjoy this preparation. Besides, it's tri doshic- meaning, balancing for all three doshas- vata, pitta, kapha. To read more about khichdi, its history, various forms, and how outsiders analysed this one-pot-meal, click here.

Here is a simple recipe that you can make at home anytime (best option for dinner).

Ingredients:

1 cup Aged Basmati Rice

1 cup Yellow Split Moong Dal

2 tbsp Ghee

1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds

1 tsp Cumin Seeds 2 Dry Red Chilies A pinch of Asafoetida 4-5 Curry Leaves

2 cloves of Garlic, crushed

Salt

Method:

- Rinse and soak rice and moong dal together, for at least 30 minutes.

- In a pot, heat some ghee, add red chilies, mustard and cumin seeds. When the mustard seeds start to sputter, add asafoetida, garlic and curry leaves.

- Get some brown colour on garlic. This takes about 45 sec. Do not burn the garlic.