Ridge gourd- lentil rice medley/Birakayi kichdi/Heeraikai khichdi (pulagam)

Khichdi is a well known Andhra breakfast recipe, which is often prepared as a offering(naivedyam/prasadam) to God during festivals. It is a combination of rice with split yellow moong dal,which is said to be a healthy combination as rice contain carbohydrates and dal contain proteins. To make it more healthier and balancing,We can add vegetables of our choice. I have added Ridge gourd, as it is one of the vegetables containing high nutritive value and also having high water content.

Nutritional Benefits of Ridge Gourd : Ridge gourd contains lots of water and is low in saturated fats,which makes it beneficial during weight loss. It acts as an excellent natural body cleanser,eliminating harmful pollutants from the body.It also helps in decreasing the alcohol intoxication by boosting the liver functioning. As it is rich in dietary fiber,it acts as best remedy for constipation and is even used to cure piles. It also helps in Diabetes,by reducing the sugar level both in blood and urine.It also helps in fortifying the immune system.

Preparation time : 30 mins

Cooking time : 20 mins

Yield : 2

Ingredients :

Rice : 1 cup

Split yellow moong dal/pesara pappu/hesaru bele : 1/4 cup

Ridge gourd/birakayi/heeraikai : 1 (medium size)

Cumin seeds/jeera/jeerige : 1 tbsp

Mustard seeds/avallu/sasive : 1 tsp (optional)

Green chilies/pachi mirchi/menasinakayi slices : 5-6

Crushed Ginger/allam/hashi shunti pieces : 1 tsp

Turmeric powder/pasupu/arishina pudi : a pinch

Salt : to taste

Curry leaves/karivepaku/karivebina soppu : fistful

Ghee: 1 tbsp

Water : 2 1/2 cups

Method of Preparation :

1. Wash and then soak together rice and split moong dal in water for 10-15 mins and add 21/2 cups of water, pressure cook it till 3-4 vissils, let it cool down.


2. Heat 1 tbsp of ghee in a thick bottomed vessel/kadai and add cumin seeds and mustard seeds, saute till they splutter.


3. Then add crushed ginger and green chilly slices and saute for 30 secs.Then add curry leaves and saute for 30 more secs.


4. Then add ridge gourd/birakayi/heerakai pieces, cook till they turn soft.Add turmeric powder and salt,mix well.


5. Then add boiled rice and moong dal mixture,stir thoroughly and cook for 5 mins.Dish out and serve.

[caption id="attachment_251" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Ridge gourd rice and lentil medley/khichdi[/caption]