By: redchilliesPosted on

daalipul 007

 

 

I have heard from many people that they plan their menu for the entire week in advance. I have tried to do that but most of the times the plan does not work out as expected. The reasons being there are some last minute changes; unexpected leftovers from previous days or requests from the family members for something different or some experimenting on my part to try out new dishes etc. So I don’t plan way in advance but I am in awe of those people who plan and maintain it.

I restrict my menu planning for the current day or at maximum for the next day. The next day planning usually involves soaking for idli/dosa batter, soaking some beans or sprouting some beans.Usually I am pretty much done deciding the menu before I head to work. Of course, there are exceptions when I plan on the way back home and even worse on occasions when I don’t know what to do until I return back home.

Anyways there are days when I get caught up at work, have to meet a deadline and it gets difficult to leave work on time.  So it is tiring when I reach back home and don’t have the energy to cook the planned menu. Instead I look for some quick fix up’s easy yet nutritive and most important easy to clean. This is one such recipe that my mother used to make often for breakfast. It is a one pot meal and has a good combination of rice, lentils, vegetables and easy on the palette too.

  • Ingredients:
  •  1 cup rice
  • ½ cup split moong daal
  • 1 cup diced vegetables (carrot, peas, beans, potato etc)
  • ¾ cup chopped onion
  • Salt
  • Mustard seeds
  • Curry leaves
  • Jeera (cumin seeds)
  • Turmeric a pinch
  • Little cloves, cinnamon
  • Chopped coriander leaves
  • Oil
  • To make the coconut masala
  • 1/2 cup shredded coconut
  • 3 garlic pods
  •  1 inch ginger
  • 3-4 green chillies

Method:

  • Wash the rice and moong daal separately and keep aside.
  • Grind the coconut masala with as little water as possible and keep aside.
  • Heat a pressure cooker, add oil then add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, cloves, cinnamon and mix well.
  • Add the chopped onions and sauté until it turns light brown.
  • Add the ground masala and mix for about a minute. Add the vegetables, add more oil if needed and mix well. There is no need to wait for the vegetables to get cooked.
  •  Add the moong daal, rice and mix well. Wait for less than a minute and add water. (The amount of water depends on one’s preference, if you prefer this muchy then add 5 cups of water else 3.5 cup is sufficient)
  • Check for seasonings. The salt and spice level should be on the higher side.
  • Add the chopped coriander and cook until done.

 Serve hot with tomato, cucumber raita and papads. 

 

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Categories: Rice, Kichidi Pulao Varieties

19 Replies to “Daal Ka Pulao / Vegetable Khichidi”

  1. Looks great RC. Perfect for a tired evening.

    Btw, i have tried planning ahead too, but didn’t work out for me either 🙁

  2. RC, a menu for a whole week, to stick with my decision in the morning in the evening is hard enough.

    This dal ka pulao is a life saver for sure.

  3. A menu for a whole week?!! u must be kidding me. my plans for morning & evenings does not stick.

    good one bowl meal with protein, veg & carb in one. every one cooks pulao, but the addition of dal is really good idea & healthy.

  4. Menu for the whole week! wish i cud that and life will be so easy.. But it doesnt happen wth me RC.. i browse and easy in al fellow bloggers blog and see new recipies try out that or depends on how i am placed..

    This looks good and easy one..perfect for my dabba.. one clarification u add the coconut masala along wwith rice and dal to cook is it?

  5. So we both are on the same page on planning a menu! I even sketched a time table and put it on the refrigerator, but I always forget to look at it and cook something else. So stopped making plans. As you said, if we want to try some experiments, we can’t stick to the schedule!

    The pulao looks fabulous. So rich in nutrients with all those spices and vegetables.

  6. I like to plan ahead just so i have a balanced meal idea in place because I spend a lot of time thinking about what to make… but sometimes, i can’t stick to it but will move it around as necessary… 🙂

    This looks like a comforting and tasty khichdi.

  8. Yumm this looks really comforing food.
    I never plan the week menu, i just makes as i feel.
    And anyway i can never stick to the plan if i make them. So why bother 🙂

  11. Thanks for droppping a comment in my blog Red chillis. I have been a silent reader of your blog 🙂 love all your pics and presentation.

  12. Thank you all very much for the sweet comments.

    Sushma, you need to add the coconut masala first and then cook for few minutes. Then add the daal and rice. Hope you get a chance to try this.

  16. Quite a complete one dish meal.
    Plan for a week? The only time I plan that ahead is when we have company for a meal. 🙂
    I plan only a day ahead at the most. 🙂

  17. Thanks for the comments as well as insights girls!

    Mandira, yes it is raita in the second bowl 🙂

  18. planning ahead has never worked for me .. sometimes there are leftovers or we simply go out for dinner, the whole plan goes for a toss .. pulao looks yum .. comfort meal

  19. The planning used to work perfectly when I used to travel to work far! It was a necessity then. Now that I am close home, it no longer works:), but this pulao will work for me anytime!!

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