Monday, December 21, 2015

Orange Flavoured Chana Dal and 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 until the colour changes slightly brown. Add 1 cup water and pressure cook to 2 whistles. Let the pressure drop by itself and then gently open the lid and keep it aside ready. 

** Extract the Juice of 8-10 Orange’s/ Santra in a electric citrus juicer and strain the juice. You should get about 4 cups of orange juice without addition of water. If need be extract juice from a few 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/ pan heat ½ cup of ghee/ toop fry some cashew nuts (kajjubi/ kaju), when slightly brown remove and keep it aside. In the same kadai add 1-1/2 cups of Bansi Rava (Gavunche Rulavu/ Barik lapsi/ Jada Rava) and fry for 5-10 minutes until evenly roasted well. 

** 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 on medium heat stirring all the time. 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/ sakkara/ shakkar (plus or minus as per your taste), a bit of saffron/ kesar soaked in warm milk and keep stirring till the sugar melts and mixes well with the other ingredientsl. Slowly the khichidi starts thickening and leaving the sides of the kadai/ pan once it is done. 


** Lastly add in 1 cup of freshly grated coconut/ soyi/ nariyal, mix well and cook further 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 among family, relatives and friends.  You can serve hot/cold as per your liking, it tastes great either way. By and large this sweet dish is prepared as Naivedyam/ Prasadam during festive occasions, however, children always desire to have sweet dishes especially on weekends/ holidays, so you can prepare them as and when you wish to serve too.

** In my home, I always prepare this dish as Naivedyam especially during Margashira masa (Dhanurmasa) which we GSB Konkani Saraswat lovingly call as khichidi masas, not sure why, but different varieties of sweet khichidi is prepared as an offering to Sri. Hari throughout the month and usually dosa is also prepared to be served along with it. The combo of Khichdi- polo (dosa) is very famous and in my home I usually prepare dosa the next day to be served during breakfast, try it, sure to be loved by all. 

** .You can serve sweet khichidi with any polo/ dosa you desire, I served it with Urad- Maida dosa and it was awesome. If desired you can follow the same too. Sharing link to "Orange Flavoured Chana Dal and Bansi Rava Sweet Khichidi served with Urad Dal- Maida Polo (Black Gram Dal- APF Dosa)” below …

** Sharing a common link to all "Khichidi" recipes shared in the Blog below. It includes both spiced and sweet ones, please do browse through and try them in your home and enjoy with your family and friends ....

** Also sharing a common link to all "Naivedyam" recipes shared in the Blog below. It includes different varieties of GSB Konkani Saraswat and also other sweet dishes prepared to be offered as prasadam to God on different festive occasions, please do browse through and try them in your home and enjoy with your family and friends ....
https://gayathrifoodbytes.blogspot.com/search?q=Naivedyam

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