Bengali Bhuna Khichuri

The Khichuri is a very popular dish and it has many variations in India. In Northern India it is popularly known as Khichdi, in Southern India a very similar dish is known as Pongal and has both sweet and savory versions.
The one that I am presenting here is a spicier and thicker version of the regular Khichuri and it is prepared during festivals. This dish is the ultimate comfort food for my family on a rainy day.

Now without further ado let's get down to making Bengali Bhuna Khichuri, by the way, Bhuna means Roasted.

250 grams Basmati Rice(washed and soaked for an hour)

250 grams Moong Dal(lentil)

1.5 liters water

2 whole green chilies

2 teaspoon ginger paste

3 tablespoons of vegetable oil

1 tomato

1 potato

25 grams peas

5-6 cauliflower pieces

Whole Spices:

2 Bay leaves

1 stick of Cinnamon

2 inches

2-3 Cardamom

2-3 Cloves

2-3 dried red chili

1 teaspoon cumin

Ground Spices :

1.5 Teaspoon Garam Masala

1 teaspoon red chili powder

2 teaspoon turmeric powder

3 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoon cumin powder

1 teaspoon sugar

1 tablespoon of ghee or clarified butter

Main Utensils

5 liter pressure cooker

1 Spatula or Stirrer

Dry roast the Moong Dal/Lentil. Roast it till it turns red, constantly stirring to ensure it doesn't burn, then take it out from the pot and put it with the rice.

Add the entire oil to the cooker and then add all the whole spices listed along with the garam masala and temper the spices till it releases fragrance.

Take all the remaining ground spices, the ginger paste, the sugar and add to the existing spices in the cooker.

Keep them stirring constantly, then add the tomato after chopping it. Keep stirring the mix till the tomatoes soften and the spice paste thickens and starts releasing oil.

Add the Rice and Lentil and mix everything uniformly in the pot.

Add the remaining vegetables, i.e. peas, chopped potato, cauliflower pieces and the green chilies.

Add the 1.5 liters of water and give the ingredients in the pot a good stir.

Now lock the pressure cooker and wait for two whistles.

After the two whistles, turn off the stove and wait for the cooker to release the steam pressure.

And The Big Reveal Is Steaming Hot

Now add the ghee and give the khichuri a good stir, your Bengali Bhuna Khichuri is ready to serve.

Finished.