Orange Flavored Chana Dal~ Bansi Rava Sweet Khichidi.

"Orange Flavoured Chana Dal and Bansi Rava Sweet Khichidi" .... Today being both "Mahalasa Narayani Shashti" and "Manjeshwar Shashti" ..... I wanted to prepare sweet khichidi for Naivedyam ... I also wanted to make some changes in flavors from the regularly prepared one. Since its the season of Oranges, as they are available in plenty i decided to add in orange juice in place of water to bring in the flavours of orange/ santra to the khichidi and it really tasted flavorful, delicious and simply awesome ... Yummilicious .... 

** Most of the time the word Khichidi when mentioned, people think it’s the rice moong dal khichidi. Both in southern parts of India both sweet and spicy khichidi’s are made. This one is the sweet one made as Naivedyam during festive occasions. These are prepared during functions and celebrations too as a dessert to end the meal. The month of Margashirsha or Dhanurmasa is known as Khichidi Masa in GSB Saraswat community. During this month which falls mid December to mid January traditionally khichidi was prepared in different combinations throughout the month. 

** The sixth day known as Shashti being one of the main day, when almost everybody prepares this awesome prasadam as a Naivedyam to God. Many types of khichidies are made with different combinations. Lentils are used with the combinations of rice of rava. I have already posted Khichidi with Bansi rava (Barik Lapsi) and chana dal before. This one is the same except for a change I decided to add fresh orange juice instead of water as they are in season now. The result was really good and I am very happy that despite initial reservations I went ahead and prepared the same. 

** Here is my simple method of preparing "Orange Flavoured Chana Dal and Bansi Rava Sweet Khichidi" ... My Style ...

** In a pressure cooker wash and add ½ cup of chana dal (Bengal gram dal) with ½ tsp of ghee/ toop and fry till a bit of colour changes. Add 1 cup water and pressure cook to 2 whistles. Let the pressure drop by itself and then gently open the lid. 

** Extract the Juice of 8-10 Orange’s in a electric citrus juicer. Strain the juice. You should get about 4 cups of orange juice (No adding water). If need be remove from some more oranges. Keep the orange juice for boiling, when it comes to a boil, lower heat and keep it simmering. 

** Meanwhile in a big thick bottomed kadai heat ½ cup of ghee/ top fry some cashew nuts (kajjubi), when slightly brown remove and keep aside. Add in the same kadai 1-1/2 cups of Bansi Rava (Barik lapsi/ Jada Rava) and fry for 5-10 minutes. 

** Now add the cooked chana dal along with the cooked water and the simmering orange juice. Mix well all well taking care to see that there are no lumps and bring all to a boil. Once it comes to a boil, lower the heat to minimum and cook covered till almost done. 

** Now add in about 1.5 to 2 cups of sugar/ shakkar (plus or minus as per your taste), a bit of saffron/ kesar soaked in warm milk and keep stirring till the sugar has melted and mixed well. The khichidi starts leaving the side once it is done. 

** Finally add in 1 cup of freshly grated coconut/ soyi/ nariyal to this, mix well and cook on low heat for about another 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and add the fried cashew nuts and another tablespoon for ghee/ top and mix well. 

** ."Orange Flavoured Chana Dal and Bansi Rava Sweet Khichidi" is done and ready to be offered as Naivedyam to God and there by distributed amongst family, relatives and friends.  You can serve hot/cold as per your liking, it tastes great either way. 

** In my home I always prepare dosa the next day and serve it for breakfast with khichidi. This Khichidi-Polo is one of the famous combo from Konkani Saraswat Cuisine observed specially so during Marghashira Masa which is fondly called also as Khichidi Masa.