Pongal, Bisibelebaath, and Khichadi were few common foods that showed up on our menu quite often during Jan and Feb. Pongal and Sambar and Kichadi with Raita or Tomato Chutney and BBB with chips is our favorite combo, and kiddo likes kichadi just with some chips. I know kichadi with raita is not a typical combo, but somehow we got used to that. So, I pack all the above for lunch and the trick to packing these lies in the consistency. I make sure the rice is well cooked and mushy, and also I make sure that they have thick porridge-like consistency even though these are rice-based dishes. This process helps the rice from turning dry and rock solid.
How Dal Kichadi became Dill Dal Kichadi?
I add few dill leaves for upma and sometimes for parathas and dals. It adds a nice flavor, but too much of dill sometimes alters the taste. Kiddo is kind of ok with dill leaves but at times, he complains though. I had a small bunch of dill leaves which I had to use it as they were losing their freshness. So I decided to add them all in the kichadi (4 tbsp when chopped) and prepare something else for vaandu.
I made the kichadi first and asked vaandu for options. The boy to my surprise said, he will try the kichadi first, and he duly tried. To my utter surprise, he liked it and said Amma can I have this breakfast too? My jaw dropped. This boy at times gives me these sweet attacks. There is one more similar saga, and I will share in another post. That’s how Dal kichadi became dill dal kichadi. Here is how I prepared this recipe. The ingredient list might be lengthy, but believe me, it is a straightforward, simple recipe.
Dill Dal Kichadi Recipe
A healthy and a quick one pot meal with different lentils and rice with the flavors of dill leaves made in instant pot/pressure cooker.
Ingredients:
Rice – ¾ cup Toor Dal – 2 tbsp Channa Dal – 2 tbsp Masoor Dal – 2 tbsp Moong Dal – 2 tbsp Salt – 1.5 tsp Chopped Cilantro – 2 tbsp Chopped Dill Leaves – 4 tbsps Turmeric – ½ tsp Jaggery – ½tsp Onion – 1 Green Chili – 2 Tomato – 1 Ghee – 2 tsps Mustard seeds – 1 tsp Cumin seeds – 2 tsp Cinnamon – 1-inch stick Hing – ½ tsp Water – 4 cups
Prep – Work:
Wash the rice and all the dals and soak until you chop the onion and tomatoes or for about 10 to 15 minutes. Chop the onion, tomato, cilantro and dill leaves. Slit the green chilies into two.
Steps:
Instant Pot Method:
Set the IP in saute mode and when it is hot, add ghee. Then add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, cinnamon, and hing.
When they start to splutter, then add the onion, slit green chilies and cook until translucent.
Then add the chopped tomatoes, salt, and turmeric. Mix and let it cook for a couple of minutes.
Now add the chopped dill and cilantro leaves.
Drain the water from the rice and dal and add it to the pot.
Add about 4 cups of water and mix it. Close the IP with vent seal position and cook it manual mode for 4 minutes in high pressure. You can let the pressure release naturally or open it quickly after 5 minutes.
Carefully open the lid and mix the kichadi well. Serve it with your favorite side, pickle or chutney or papad.
Pressure Cooker Method:
Heat the pressure pan or cooker when it is hot, add ghee. Then add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, cinnamon, and hing. When they start to splutter, then add the onion, slit green chilies and cook until translucent. Then add the chopped tomatoes, salt, and turmeric. Mix and let it cook for a couple of minutes. Now add the chopped dill and cilantro leaves. Drain the water from the rice and dal and add it to the cooker. Add about 4 cups of water and mix it. Pressure cook this for three whistles and let the pressure release naturally. Carefully open the lid and blend the kichadi nicely. Serve it with your favorite side, pickle or chutney or papad.
Notes:
There is no set measure for this dal kichadi. You can vary the dal, and rice proportion as per your preference and same goes for chili and salt. I add more water so that I can get slightly thin consistency as I prefer that way for packing.
📖 Recipe
P.S. Follow my Pinterest boards for more healthy and delicious recipes.
Enjoying Dill Dal Kichadi? You will love these, too:
Mizo Style Mixed Dal Stew Instant Pot Matki Usal | Matki Chi Usal Yellow Cucumber Dal Ulava Charu Recipe | Horsegram Lentil Soup Instant Pot Dal Tadka | Mixed Dal Tadka with Beet Greens
