Rava-Chana Dal Sweet Khichidi.

"Naivedyam : Sweet Khichidi with Mangalore Rava and Chana Dal" ... a delicious sweet dish from GSB Konkani Saraswat Cuisine prepared with rava/ rice along with lentils during festive days to be offered as Naivedyam to God ... tastes awesome served as it is or with dosa ... Stay Blessed- Spread Happiness ... 

** Sweet khichidi is often prepared in GSB Konkani Saraswat Community homes especially during Margashiramasa/ Dhanurmasa which is fondly referred to as Khichidi masa which falls somewhere in December as per English Calendar. There are plenty of variations and mix and match of lentils with which this delicious delicacy is prepared to be offered as Naivedyam throughout the month to Sri. Hari. I will be sharing them as and when prepared, so please do follow this Blog for more delicious dishes. 

** Here is my simple recipe for "Sweet Khichidi with Mangalore Rava and Chana Dal" ... my style, try it, tastes wonderful ...

** Ingredients :
Chana Dal/ Bengal Gram Dal : ½ cup
Rava/ Rulavu/ Bansi Rava : 1.5 cups
Sugar/ Shakkar/ Sakkara : 2 cups (+/- depending upon individual choice)
Coconut/ Soyi/ Nariyal : ½ cup freshly grated (white portion only)
Yellow Color or Kesar (saffron) : a pinch
Cardamom/ Ellaichi/ Yellu Powder : ½ tsp
Cashew Nuts/ Kajjubi/ Kaju : a handful cut pieces
Kishmish/ Dried Grapes/ Raisins : 2 tblsp
Cow’s Milk Ghee/ Toopa/ Toop : 1/4 cup
Boiling Water/ Uddaka : 3 cups

** Wash and soak chana dal in water for about 15-20 minutes. Drain well so that there is not trace of water. Add 1 tsp of ghee in pressure cooker pan, add the chana dal and fry till it turns slightly brown in color on medium heat.

** Add in 1 cup of water and pressure cook on medium heat for 2-3 whistles. Let rest allowing the pressure to fall on its own. Open the lid add about 2-3 of water and bring to a rolling boil, while we go about preparing other ingredients.

** In a thick bottomed kadai heat the ghee, when hot add cashew nuts and fry til the color changes slightly, now add in raisins and fry till they are blow up. Do not at any point over fry either the cashew nuts or raisins or they will taste bitter.

** Remove, keep fried cashew nuts- raisins aside to be garnished later. In same kadai add more ghee if necessary, add rava and fry well on medium heat stirring well till it gets well fried, say about 4-5 mins or until you get a lovely aroma.

** Now add in kesar or color, mix well, lower the heat and gradually add in the chana dal and the boiling water carefully as it tends to splutter, so be careful. Mix well, raise the heat and bring all to a boiling point adding more water if necessary.

** Once it starts bubbling on surface, mix well, lower the heat to minimum, cover and let cook till almost done, stirring in between. When the water has evaporated add sugar (as per your taste) and keep stirring till the sugar has melted..

** When the khichidi starts leaving the side, add freshly grated coconut, cardamom pder, 1-2 tblsp of ghee (optional), mix well and let cook for a few minutes on minimum heat. Remove from fire, garnish with fried cashew nuts and raisins kept aside.

** Once again, mix well, cover and keep it aside to settle and for the flavors to be infused for about 20-30 minutes. This sweet khichidi is usually served at room temperature, if you find it too dry, you may sprinkle some hot water and mix well.

** "Sweet Khichidi with Mangalore Rava and Chana Dal" is done and ready to be offered as Naivedyam to God and there by distributed among family and friends. Tastes best served at room temperature topped with melted ghee as it is or along with dosa, a combo referred to as khichidi- polo in GSB Konkani Saraswat Community. 

** This dish is usually served with Urad- Maida or Urad- Rice dosa by removing the dosa with ghee. I usually follow that combo of serving for breakfast next morning which gives me break from preparing chutney, as in my home we love that combo.

** You can also add chopped ellaichi bananas (small variety) to garnish by cutting them into thin round slices if serving the khichidi as it is or as Naivedyam. There are many ways of preparing sweet khichidi with various pulse combinations. 

** This is a traditional GSB Konkani Saraswat dish prepared over generations in most of the homes during festivals/ functions. Do try out different variations of khichidi shared in the Blog and enjoy them with your family and friends. 

** If you like sweet khichidi, try this one, children often like sweet dishes and you can easily make them have it with dosa or as it is, which I am sure will be loved by them especially when they come home hungry from school.

** I will keep posting different combinations of sweet Khichidi in the coming posts, so please do keep a watch out for my recipes. You will find all combo shared elsewhere in the Blog, if you follow the link given at the bottom.

** Sharing a common link to both sweet and spicy “Khichidi/ Pongal” recipes posted in my Blog below, do go through the link for more information, step by step pictures and various combinations in preparation of Khichidi ….

https://gayathrifoodbytes.blogspot.com/search?q=khichidi