Khichuri and Bhaja

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Ingredients:

1 cup Basmati rice
1/2 cup split moong dal
1/4 cup split urad dal
1/4 " cinnamon stick
2-3  cloves
2-3 green cardamons
1 bay leaf
Ghee
Oil (try using mustard oil if possible)
Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
Chilly powder 1/2 tsp ( I use cayenne)
Salt to taste
1/4 cup peas - shelled
1/4 cup cauliflower
2 small red potatoes - cleaned and quartered
2-3 jalapenos/ green chilies
1 1/2 tsp Ginger paste (if available, else make a
      paste with 1 tsp ginger powder and equal amount of
      water and let it sit for 15 - 20 minutes)
1/2 tsp Cumin paste (1/4 tsp cumin powder and 1/4 tsp
      water and let it sit for 15 - 20 minutes)

Procedure:

Clean and wash the dals and rice seperately.
Get the pastes and masalas ready.
Heat about 1 tbsp. of Mustard Oil in a flat bottmed
pan. Add about 1/2 tbsp of ghee in it. Let it heat up.
When hot, add the bay leaf, cinnamon stick, the cloves
and the cardamon seeds. Try to slightly crush the
cardamon before putting it in the pan else it will
tend to burst.

Add the dals. fry for 5 - 10 minutes. Add the pastes
(ginger, cumin), masalas (chilly, turmeric) and mix
well. Add the rice. Fry for few more minutes
constantly stirring.
Add water - about 3 cups. Cover and let it boil on
medium high heat.

When furiously boiling, increase heat, add more water
and add the vegies.
Stir constantly else it will stick to the bottom of
the pan.
When the veggies are done, remove from heat.
Serve with "begun bhaja" or "Alu bhaja".

Bhaja

 Ingredients:

1/2 eggplant (big round ones)
2 potatoes washed and sliced.

Procedure:

Cut the egg plant into thin slices. Mix with turmeric
and a pinch of salt and keep aside for 15 - 20
minutes.
Mix the potato slices with turmeric.

In a pan with hot oil (preferably mustard else
canola), add the eggplant slices gently. The eggplant
slices will absorb the oil and when done will start
releasing the oil. Take them out using a slotted spoon
and place on a absorbent kitchen towel to absorb
excess oil. When done with eggplants, add the
potatoes. Fry them till golden brown.

Enjoy with the khichuri!