"Naivedyam : "Chana Dal- Varai Godi Khichidi (Bengal Gram Dal- Indian Barnyard Millet Sweet Pongal) topped with fried Cashew Nuts and Dried Grapes" ... Let us bring in the New Year on a sweeter note and pray that the year 2021 brings in happiness, health, peace and prosperity into every home ... still almost another 2 weeks for Margashir/ Dhanurmasa to come to an end and as I have mentioned many times its Khichidi masa for amchies ... so, preparing godi khichidi with varai for the first time ... tastes awesome ... Yummilicious ...
** Come year end and its Margashir/ Dhanurmasa which is fondly known as khichidi masa by Konkani Saraswats. Different combinations of this sweet pongal is prepared through the month specially so on certain days. Today being 1.Jan.2021 thought of preparing Naivedyam offering to God and a good non-veg meal for lunch. As I have already written a lot about these sweet khichidi, I am sharing a common link at the bottom of this recipe, wherein you may browse through for more information. This time I have tried another variation of my own by preparing in combo chana dal (Bengal gram dal) with varai (Indian Barnyard Millet) while rest of the recipe remains the same. If you are into millets, do try out this variation and enjoy with family and friends. 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- Varai Godi Khichidi (Bengal Gram Dal- Indian Barnyard Millet Sweet Pongal) topped with fried Cashew Nuts and Dried Grapes" … My Style ….
** Ingredients :
Chana Dal / Bengal Gram Dal : ½ cup
Varai/ Indian Barnyard 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 varai/ Indian Barnyard 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/ Bengal gram 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 Varai 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 Varai 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 varai along with one cup of hot 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 and leaves the sides slightly.
** 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 (Optional) pieces and it is ready to be served.
** "Chana Dal- Varai Godi Khichidi (Bengal Gram Dal- Indian Barnyard 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. I have not added them this time as I did not have any at home.
** 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. Once again, Happy New Year 2021 to all, May Lord Ganesha, Vignaharata remove all Obstacles from our life and restore peace and happiness worldwide.
** Note : It is a tradition in Konkani Saraswat families to server khichidi with polo/ dosa a rare but definitely delicious combo. In my home I always prepare dosa the next day and serve it with this sweet khichidi as we love the combo very much, do try it out too, you will find that combo will you browse through the common link given below to Khichidi dishes.
** 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 ….
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