Punjabi Khichdi

Serves 2

Ingredients:
Dhuli (yellow) mung dal - half cup
Basmati rice - half cup
Water - 4-and-a-half cups
Clarified butter (ghee) -1 tsp
Cumin seeds (jeera)-1 tsp
Black peppercorn - 6
Cloves (lavang) -4-5
Onion - 1, finely chopped
Ginger - ½", grated
Garlic cloves and curry leaves - 6-7
Salt- According to taste

Method:

Wash rice and dal in running water and drain. Heat the ghee in a pan. Add cloves and black pepper, followed by cumin. When it crackles, add onion, ginger, garlic and curry leaves (they're good for the heart and add to the flavour). Stir it until golden brown. Then, add rice and dal, followed by water - thrice the quantity of rice and dal. Let it boil, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally until the mixture is thick and viscous and of porridge-like consistency.