"Chana Dal- Sama Sweet Khichidi/ Bengal Gram Dal- Little Millet Sweet Pongal topped with fried Cashew Nuts and Dried Grapes" ... trying various combinations in preparation of sweet khichidi and as Millets are good for health tried this yesterday for Naivedyam as it is Marghashirmasa/Dhanurmasa which is Khichidi Masa for GSB's ... Tastes Delicious ... Yummilicious ......
** Khichidi or Pongal as widely known in southern parts of India is a dish prepared both in sweet or spiced variation. Khichidi is a mixture of pulses, lentils, rice, millet etc. I have written in detail about both sweet and spicy khichidi many times before, so will not run into many details about the same here again. My passion for experimenting, mixing and matching of different types of ingredients is well known to all my friends. I love giving small twists to the traditional dishes while keeping the basics intact and I have done so successfully both in sweet and spicy khichidi and recently it has been so more of with millets. Millets are considered to be very good for health and are the in thing now. However, with millets one has to get accustomed to it as it is slightly difficult to digest. So introduce yourself to millets slowly and not on a daily basis, gradually you can build up on the same easily. There are a few millets that we have been using for ages like Varai, Bajra, Nachani, Jowar etc. while there are many more that are a little bit less common, though available now widely all over the country. These are more famous in Karnataka especially in the city of Bangalore and Mysore. On line shopping and cropping up of huge super markets in malls have made them easily accessible now to all of us and we can now purchase them as and when we like.
** Millets are a little bit costly compared to the other pulses and grains but, nevertheless healthier in option, so it will be great to be included in our preparation of food. You can cook them in many ways, like khichidi, rice, dosa, idly, sweets etc. I am trying out new ways and will be posting them as and when I prepare them. It is the Holy month of Marghashirmasa/ Dhanurmasa which is very pious for us Hindus. Lord Vishnu is worshiped during this month by all Hindus, while we Konkani Saraswat’s have a tradition of preparing sweet khichidi throughout the month as an Naivedyam offering to Lord. The same is relished with Dosa and this combo of “Khichidi-Polo ie Khichidi with Dosa” is famous and is even served in Temples during auspicious days of this month. Today I prepared this sweet Khichidi as Naivedyam with a combo of Chana Dal and Sama ie Little Millet and it turned out delicious. We relished it with again another millet combo dosa ie. Urad Dal-Bajra (Pearl Millet) Dosa and it was simply wonderful. I am posting the same as next post, so that you can check out on the same too for combo meals. Do try out various dishes from my Blog and relish them with your family and friends. Life is all about good food and friends and there is nothing that gives more happiness or satisfaction than delicious home cooked ones.
** Here is my simple recipe for "Chana Dal- Sama Sweet Khichidi/ Bengal Gram Dal- Little Millet Sweet Pongal topped with fried Cashew Nuts and Dried Grapes" … My Style ….
** Ingredients :
Chana Dal / Bengal Gram Dal : ½ cup
Sama/Little Millet : 1 cup
Sugar/Shakkar/Sakkar : 1.5 cups (+/- depending upon individual choice)
Coconut/Soyi/Nariyal : ½ cup freshly grated (white portion only)
Yellow Color : a pinch
Cardamom/Ellaichi/Yellu Powder : ½ tsp
Cashew Nuts/Kajjubi/Kaju : a handful cut pieces
Kishmish/Dried Grapes : 2 tblsp
Cow’s Milk Ghee/Toopa : 3-4 tbsp
Ellaichi Banana : as required for serving (Optional)
** Wash sama/little millet and soak in plenty of water for about an hour. Then wash again and put it in colander for all the excess water to be drained off completely as much as possible. You can spread it on a thick cloth and allow to dry if needed too.
** Again, wash and soak chana dal for about 15-20 minutes, then put it in colander for all the excess water to be drained off completely as much as possible. You can also spread it on a thick cloth and allow to dry if needed too.
** Note : Both Sama and Chana Dal used here need to be drained off properly as we need to fry them a little bit in ghee for better fragrance and tastier khichidi. Water traces in them can make it difficult and can splutter off which is dangerous, so do make it a point to remove as much excess water as possible.
** In a pressure cooker pan add in 3 tbsp of cow’s ghee and when it melts add in the chana dal and fry for a few minutes (about 2 mins) on medium heat. Now add in the drained sama and further fry together for 3-4 minutes on low heat.
** Now add in about 3 cups of water, mix well cover the lid of the pressure cooker pan and cook on medium heat to 2-3 whistles. Let the pressure in the cooker fall on its own and when done remove the lid carefully.
** In a thick bottomed kadai/pan add in pressure cooked chana dal and sama along with one cup of water and bring to a boil on medium heat. Once it comes to a full boil, add in the sugar and color. Mix well and cook on medium heat stirring often till the sugar mixes and the khichidi thickens.
** When the Khichidi is almost done add in the finely grated coconut and mix well and cook on low heat till it is almost dry. Add in cardamom powder and mix well. Remove from heat and keep it covered aside till we prepare the garnishing.
** Heat the remaining 1 tbsp of ghee in a small pan, when hot add in the cashews and fry on low heat till they turn light brown in color then add the raisins and fry a minute, pour this over the sweet khichidi and mix well. Garnish the khichidi on top with sliced banana pieces and it is ready to be served.
** "Chana Dal- Sama Sweet Khichidi/ Bengal Gram Dal- Little Millet Sweet Pongal topped with fried Cashew Nuts and Dried Grapes" is done and ready to be offered as Naivedyam to God and there by distributed among family and friends. Remember to add the banana slices just before serving as we will not be cooking it here. Do try out this sweet dish and relish with your family and friends. If you like sweet khichidi, you will definitely love this one very much.
** 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 ….
** An Earnest Request : There are many more recipes of different types in the blog. For all my Recipes, use the search option or the label section in the Blog. If you are still not able to find it or have a query, please leave a message in comment section or mail me the same. I will try my best to get back to you as soon as possible. Do try out various types of dishes included in the Blog and Enjoy them with your family and friends and do give me a feedback if possible.
** I am happy to inform you that I have also started a food group for by the name "KONKANI DELICACIES" which is over and year old, with about 23 K strong members. It is a pleasure to inform that you will find in the group many more recipes posted by our expert members and you too can share some of your own. The link to the group is posted on the left side of the blog page. Do join us in our culinary journey. I strongly believe in Sharing and always endorse that "Sharing Is Caring" Thank You.
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