Waghareli Khichdi / Vaghareli Khichdi

Waghareli khichdi (or vaghareli khichdi), a filling and quick meal idea from Gujarat is my choice of dish today under the alphabet 'W'. Waghaar / Vaghaar is a Gujarati word meaning the 'tempering / seasoning' part and the dish basically means a tempered rice. I thought the simplicity of the title is misleading as this wholesome rice is not simple in terms of flavors and nutrition. 

The recipe can be easily customized according to what one have on hand and what one would prefer. Rice and beans can be used in equal proportions or in 2:1 ratio. One or a combo of beans can be used and lentils, split chickpeas, yellow moong dal, split green gram are some of the choices that can go into this rice. Similarly any vegetable of your choice that don't turn into mush quickly can be used in this quick one pot meal.

Ingredients: (Servings 4)
1/2 cup rice
1/4 cup mixture of lentils (I used toordal/pigeon peas, split chickpeas/chana dal and moong dal.)
1 tbsp. ghee or oil
1 tsp. mustard seeds
1 tsp. cumin seeds
1/4 tsp. peppercorns
1" piece of cinnamon stick
2 cloves
2 dried red chilli
Few curry leaves
1 tsp. grated ginger
2 pinches of asafoetida powder
1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
1/2 tsp, chili powder
1 potato, peeled and cut into big chunks
1 small carrot, peeled and cubed
1/8 cup green peas
1/8 up tuvar lilva (Green pigeon peas)
2 tbsp. peanuts
Salt to taste

Method:
* Soak dals for about an hour or two in water and drain. Rinse the rice and keep it aside.
* Heat ghee in a pressure cooker directly and add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, pepper corns, cinnamon, cloves and red chillies. When they start to splutter, add ginger and saute for few seconds. Then add turmeric, curry leaves, asafoetida and stir once. 
* Next add the vegetables, dals, rice, chili powder, peanuts and about 3 cups of water. Cook for 4 to 5 whistles or until the mixture is cooked to mush.
* Remove and add salt and mix well. Adjust the consistency by adding water if needed. Bring the mixture to a boil again if water is added. 

Recipes so far in A - Z Rice Dishes,
A for Achaari Chole Pulao
B for Bhuna Khichuri
C for Chintapandu Pulihora
D for Dindigul Thalapakatti Veg Biryani
E for Ellorai / Ellotharai  
F for Fodnicha Bhaat 
G for Gongura Pulihora 
H for Hare Moong ki Chaaswaali Khichdi 
I for Iyengar Style Kadambam 
J for Jodhpuri Vegetable Pulao 
K for Kaju - Karivepaku Annam 
L for Lilva Khichdi
M for Mamidikaaya - Kobbari Pulihora 
N for Narali Bhaat
O for Oliya 
P for Peas Pulao 
Q for Qabooli Biryani 
R for Ram Pulao / Rajasthani Gatte Ka Pulao
S for Spinach layered Biryani
T for Tawa Pulao
U for Urad dal Khichdi
V for Varhadi Pulao 

Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 68.
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