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The Republic of India is the seventh-largest country in the world. Its landscape ranges from snow-covered mountains to tropical beaches. The cultural influences of the cuisine of India also vary considerably. Regional differences such as mountains, coastal, and desert also play a large part in the cuisine as does the seasonal availability of ingredients. These are some of the reasons why India does not have an official National dish. Khichdi is a dish that is recognized by the majority of the population as the National dish and is considered a symbol of national unity and diversity.
Ingredients
1 cup whole mung beans
1 cup basmati rice
8 cups water
2 teaspoons salt
1 ½ teaspoons ground fenugreek seeds
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
¾ teaspoon ground turmeric
¼ teaspoon asafoetida powder
Directions
Soak mung beans in water for at least 4 hours.
Soak basmati rice for at least 10 minutes.
Drain and rinse mung beans and rice, separately, until water runs clear.
Place mung beans in a large pot.
Cover with 8 cups water; bring to a gentle boil.
Cook for 10 minutes.
Add rice, salt, fenugreek, pepper, turmeric, and asafoetida powder.
Reduce heat, cover, and simmer gently until water is absorbed, about 30 minutes.
Remove from heat; keep covered and let stand for up to 30 minutes before serving.
Recipe by Idena Suzanne, courtesy of www.allrecipes.com