Navratna Kichdi [Patented ;)]

This is my first ever blog. I have no clue how it will look like. I could never find time to sit and create one. Most of my friends and family seem to be avid bloggers and no way will I be left behind :D. My maiden attempt is a recipe but God knows what I will come up with next. Dont tell me I didnt warn you.

If anyone can come across anyone lazier than I am, I shall cook for them for an entire lifetime ;). Necessity is the mother of invention - how true! For a couch potato like me, I was forced to connive, concoct and invent! Mind-boggling! Well the story unfurls... I was cornered one day to fix up a quick meal for 4 hungry moguls in my family. I grabbed whatever I could lay my hands on in the refrigrator, counters and cupboards in the kitchen. Stuffed all of them into a cooker and pressure cooked for about 10 minutes... lo and behold!! Lol... now isnt that the easiest thing you could do? Try and let me know. This could be served to anyone of any age (whoever can eat solids).
Moral of the story: I love cooking ;)

WhAt To GrAb?

Mandatory/ Must grabs:

1 large onion

2 medium tomatoes

4 large cloves of garlic

4 green chillies (less or more - depends upon the heat u prefer)

2 sprigs of curry leaves (less/ more)

1 tbsp coconut oil (coconut oil haters please use any other fat)

1 teacupful of rice (any variety)

1 tbsp of tuvar dal (aka toor dal, tuvaram paruppu, split pigeon pea) - i know only this many :(

1 tsp salt (less/ more)

A pressure cooker [ensure the gasket is in place. in your hurry you might forget. i did :) ]

Water - if you have water scarcity in ur area use less others fill the tank... just kidding!

Optional grabs:

1 tbsp moong dal (aka payatham paruppu, pacha payaru, green gram dal)

1 tbsp urad dal (aka uzhunnu paruppu, ulunthu, black gram) did u know this has a name 'vigna mungo' our good old ulunthu...

Lets make life easier for everyone... any other lentil or bean that u would want to add (anything that doesnt need overnight soaking and cooks easily)

1 tsp methi seeds (aka uluva, vendayam, fenugreek seeds)

1 tsp pepper powder

1 pinch asafoetida

1 each of any vegetable or roots that u fancy! Any! (avoid bittergourd if u dont like the bitterness)

Preparation:

Now that was quite a grab. Wash and cut vegetables and whatever needs cutting amidst what you collected in whichever shape and size you prefer (make it bite sized for your convenience - just a suggestion). Dump all of them into the pressure cooker. Now wheres the rice? And lentils and seeds? Ok what all did u pick up? Put all of them together into a strainer. Wash under the tap (if u are using tap water). Goes into the cooker. Now the leaves and powders. Into the cooker...In..In. What else? Salt, Oil - C'mon march into the cooker mates! Go check all around your kitchen, do a head count - everyone inside the cooker? Now pour enough water so that it covers all the ingredients. A little excess will not do any harm. Go on pressure cook till you get a whistle. Continue on a simmer for about 5 minutes. Switch off. Wait till the pressure comes down. You may add a cup of coconut milk to give it a nice creamy taste. Anyways thats optional.

Let me know if I helped you add a feather to your cap or did some damage! Watch out for disclaimers ;)