Delightful Kadhi Chawal: A Comforting Yogurt Curry with Rice

Here’s a delicious recipe for Kadhi Chawal (Yogurt Curry with Rice) that includes instructions for making both the Kadhi and the Rice.

Ingredients

For Kadhi:

• 1.5 cups sour yogurt
• 2 tablespoons gram flour (besan)
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds (methi dana)
• 1 teaspoon ginger paste
• 1 teaspoon garlic paste
• 1-2 green chilies (slit lengthwise)
• Salt to taste
• Water (to adjust consistency)

For Pakoras (Fritters):

• 1.5 cups gram flour (besan)
• 1/2 teaspoon ajwain (carom seeds)
• 1/4 teaspoon asafoetida (hing)
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• Water (as required for batter)
• Oil for deep frying

For Rice:

• 1 cup rice
• 3-4 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Making Kadhi:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sour yogurt and 2 tablespoons of gram flour until smooth and lump-free.
2. Add turmeric powder, ginger paste, garlic paste, and salt. Mix well.
3. Gradually add water to achieve a smooth consistency.
4. In a pot, heat 2 tablespoons of oil or ghee. Add fenugreek seeds and let them sizzle.
5. Add the slit green chilies and sauté for a minute.
6. Pour in the yogurt mixture and stir continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
7. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens.
8. Adjust the consistency with more water if necessary.

Making Pakoras:

1. In a bowl, mix 1.5 cups of gram flour with ajwain, hing, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and salt.
2. Add enough water to form a thick batter.
3. Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat.
4. Drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil and fry until golden brown.
5. Remove pakoras and drain on paper towels.

Cooking Rice:

1. Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. In a pot, bring 3-4 cups of water to a boil and add salt.
3. Add the rinsed rice to boiling water and cook for about 15 minutes or until soft.
4. Drain excess water if necessary and keep covered until serving.

Serving:

1. In a serving bowl, add the pakoras to the kadhi and let them soak for a few minutes before serving.
2. Serve hot kadhi over steamed rice.

Enjoy your comforting dish of Kadhi Chawal!