Kadhi Chawal Recipe

Ingredients:

For Kadhi:

• 1 cup sour yogurt (curd), beaten
• 3 tablespoons gram flour (besan)
• 1 tablespoon ghee or vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 2-3 dried red chilies
• 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds (methi)
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala powder
• Salt, to taste
• Water, as needed
• Chopped coriander leaves, for garnishing

For Pakoras (Fritters):

• 1/2 cup gram flour (besan)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 green chili, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
• Salt, to taste
• Water, as needed
• Oil, for frying

For Serving:

• Cooked rice (chawal)

Instructions:

Making Kadhi:

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together beaten yogurt and gram flour until smooth. Set aside.
2. Heat ghee or vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.
3. Add cumin seeds, mustard seeds, dried red chilies, and fenugreek seeds to the hot oil. Sauté for a few seconds until fragrant.
4. Pour the yogurt-gram flour mixture (kadhi) into the pot. Stir continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
5. Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder, and salt to the pot. Mix well to combine with the kadhi.
6. Add water to the pot to adjust the consistency of the kadhi. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
7. Reduce the heat to low and let the kadhi simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.

Making Pakoras:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine gram flour, chopped onion, chopped green chili, cumin seeds, red chili powder, and salt.
2. Gradually add water to the mixture and whisk until smooth batter forms. The batter should have a thick consistency.
3. Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat.
4. Once the oil is hot, drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil to make small pakoras (fritters).
5. Fry the pakoras until they are golden brown and crispy. Remove them from the oil and drain excess oil on paper towels. Set aside.

Serving:

1. Just before serving, add the prepared pakoras to the kadhi.
2. Garnish the Kadhi Pakora with chopped coriander leaves.
3. Serve hot Kadhi Pakora with cooked rice (chawal) for a comforting North Indian meal.

Enjoy the delicious and hearty Kadhi Chawal, a classic favorite in North Indian cuisine!