Vats of Food!

Well, no, there aren’t quite vats of food happening today!

Usually on Vaisakhi my Mother in Law (MIL) would be busy making a large saucepan of something savoury and delicious, and a huge pan of Kheer, rice pudding. There would probably be pakoras (bhajis)or samosas too… but they aren’t around at the moment, and, in fact it is just me, the kids and Sonu Singh who are at home at the moment!

So, it’s almost pointless making these things (that’s if I could!)

I am going to attempt to make Khichdi today instead, as I am attempting a type of detox that my Pops recommended, a natural colonic if you like!

I’ve had castor oil this morning.. YUCK! It should help me cleanse myself internally, then when that has worked its magic, I am to eat lightly, veg soup, at lunch, maybe and then khichdi, at dinner time

Khichdi is a very basic food, people call in Bamaar Dha Khana, food for the sick! It is easily digestible, and wholesome, basically a porridge like dish made from rice, yellow and orange split lentils, and nothing else apart from water, some cumin, salt and pepper, and a knob of butter!
All you need is a medium sized bowl for the lentil measuring, like the ones in my picture. I use one and guess the measurements… Nothing too exact!

Ingredients
1/2 bowl basmati rice
1/4 bowl orange split lentils
1/4 bowl yellow split lentils
1 level tspn cumin seeds
Generous knob of butter
Salt and black pepper to season
Boiling water, approx 1.5 litres

What to do

1) Wash through the rice and lentils.
2) Dry roast the cumin seeds in the bottom of your pan.
3) When you can smell the cumin, drain the lentils and rice and add.
4) Pour in boiling water.
5) Add knob of butter.
6) Season to taste with salt and pepper.
7) Put on low heat and simmer for 45mins to an hour, stirring regularly.
8) When most of the liquid is gone, and it is of ‘just wetter than porridge’ consistency, switch off the flame and allow to rest.

And ENJOY!