Green gram Rice Kichdi with Coconut milk / Hasaru kaalu Hejje (Ganji)

This is a traditional healthy recipe from Northern Kerala. It is very nutritious and less spicy. It makes perfect food for toddlers, growing kids and pregnant as it is rich in protein & carbohydrates. This can be packed in kids’ lunch box. Totally it is a healthier option for any age group with a blend of green gram, rice & coconut milk.

Preparation time: 6 hrs

Cook time: 20 minutes

Serves: 2

Ingredients

Green gram – ½ cup

White Rice – 1 cup

Salt - to taste

Pepper powder -  ¼ tsp

Coconut milk – 1 cup or grated coconut – 1½ cups

Bay leaf – a small piece

Cashews – 2 tsp (optional)

Ghee – 2 tsp

Method:

Wash and soak green gram for minimum 6 hours or overnight. Heat a tsp of ghee in a pressure cooker. Add bay leaf and sauté until you get nice aroma. Wash rice, soaked green gram and add to the pressure cooker. Add 5 cups of water, salt, pepper powder to this. Cook until 3-4 whistles. Meanwhile, extract thick coconut milk from grated coconut. Click here for my post on coconut milk extraction. Once rice is cooked and pressure settles down, add coconut milk to it and bring to boil. Heat remaining ghee in a tadka pan, add cashews and fry until golden color. Add it to the kichdi. Serve it with any pickles or plain tomato rasam or with any raita.

Note: You can also use ground coconut paste instead of coconut milk.