Bengali Khichuri (Bhoger Khichuri)

Ingredients

• 1 Cup Small Grain Rice *
• 1 Cup Split Yellow Lentil (Moong Dhuli)
• 2 Large Boiled Potato – Chopped into 6 pieces
• 1/2 Cauliflower Head – roughly chopped
• 1 Cup Green Peas – frozen or fresh
• 1 Tbsp Ginger Paste
• 2 Tbsp Vegetable Oil – You may use any flavorless oil
• 4 Tbsp Ghee
• 1/2 Cup Water
• 3 Cups of Water (For soaking rice+lentils)

Whole Spices:

• 1 Large Bay Leaf (Tej Patta)
• 2 Dry Red Chili
• 2 Black Cardamom (Badi Elaichi)
• 2 Cloves (Laung)
• 1 Stick of Cinnamon (Dalchini)

Powdered Spices:

• 1 Tsp Garam Masala
• ½ Tsp Turmeric
• 1 Tsp Red Chili Powder
• 2 Tsp Salt (As per your taste)

Instructions

Roast the Lentil and Rice:

1. Heat a large pot.
2. Add moong dal and roast it over medium-low flames for 2 minutes. (this brings out the nutty lentil aromas and the dal will turn slightly brown-pink).
3. Remove the roasted dal and add rice to the same pot.
4. Roast the rice for 2 minutes and transfer to the roasted dal bowl.
5. Soak the roasted dal and rice mix in 2 cups water.

Roast the Veggies:

1. In the same pan, add 1tsp vegetable oil (you can add ghee too) and roast the cauliflower until light brown (takes 2 minutes).
2. Remove and keep aside.

Make the Bengali Khichuri (Bhoger Khichuri):

1. Heat the same pot and add remaining vegetable oil + 1tbsp ghee.
2. Add the whole spices and saute for 30 seconds.
3. Add the powdered spices and saute for 30 seconds.
4. Now add the soaked roasted dal + rice (keep the water and just add the grains).
5. Saute this mix 1-2 times and let this cook on low heat for 2 minutes.
6. Now add water, green peas (you may use the soaking water if you kept it), and saute everything.
7. Let this cook on low-medium heat for 2 minutes (stir every minute).
8. Finally add cauliflower, potatoes, ghee, and mix everything.
9. Add 1/2 cup water, mix everything, and cover the pot.
10. Let this cook for 10 minutes over low-medium heat (stir every minute and check for doneness of rice+dal).
11. Once the khichuri is cooked, add some ghee on top and lightly mix in.
12. Transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy.