Vegetable Khichuri

Quintessential bangladeshi food. Khichuri. Onto my version of the recipe.


Ingredients

2 cups basmati rice
1 cup red lentil
1 cup yellow moong dal (dry roasted)
1 large onion- finely sliced
2 sticks cinnamon
3 cardamom
1 tsp black cumin
2 dried red chillies
1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
1 head of broccoli- chopped into florets
1/2 green bell pepper- chopped
1/2 red bell pepper- chopped
Oil  (as desired)
Salt (as desired)

Heat oil and add cinnamon, cardamom, bay leaves, dried red chillies and black cumin seeds.

Add sliced onion and brown on medium heat.

Add ginger and garlic paste.

Add turmeric powder.

Add the red and green bell peppers. Mix everything well.

I had washed the rice and lentils and kept it aside. Add it into the pot.

Mix the rice and lentils thoroughly so that it is well coated in all the spices. Add salt.

Legend has it that you are supposed to add water double the amount of rice and lentils. However I always add a cup or two less. Since I took 2 cups of lentils and 2 cups of rice, which totals 4 cups, I am supposed to add 8 cups of water. I only added 6 cups to keep it fluffy. It still wasn't as fluffy as I would have liked, but it works. I don't like that super-mushy khichuri.

 Cover the pot and let it cook at medium low for 15 minutes.

Add the broccoli florets and stir it into the rice and lentil mixture. Cover and cook for another 10 minutes on low.

And it is done! This is one of those sneaky ways I get my hubby to eat his veggies. It is wholesome, tasty and comforting. Oh, I also fried an egg to accompany the khichuri.

We bangladeshis, with our rustic, traditional food, we like crispy fried egg. It has to be crispy. To this day my dad won't eat his omelette unless it is brown enough.

Fishies at Asian Mart

I love seeing fresh seafood. The smells, the colors, the textures. It is a holistic experience. This was at 99 ranch market, a mere 5 minute drive from my place, but I've heard people travel from outside the state to shop here. It carries all kinds of asian food, spices, cookware, drinks, teas, etc.,with a hot food section and bakery to boot. We love their bakery items---reminds us of Bangladeshi breads and confectionery items. Must have pictures next time.

Whole Foods

I get much more worked up looking at bright, fresh produce rather than a slew of season,  handbags. Going to Whole Foods is always fun as my hubby and I enjoy the relaxing strolls around the store. It is like our every Friday night. We usually get select few things at Whole Foods such as nut butters, raw honey, raw milk, bread and our most favorite creme brulee. We usually get fruits at Trader Joe's as it is a bit cheaper there. Here are just a few pictures of the local produce Whole Foods carries. So beautiful...

Whodunit?

Where did this weather come from? Who are you?

Forever 21 Haul

I love me some good haulage from Forever 21, especially when every item is less than 5 dollars. I bought 3 pair of earrings, one ring and two necklaces. Total damage: $14.00.

   These earrings were $1.99 each. I love these pastel-y colors.

   99 cents. Nuff said.

Beaded chain necklace. $3.99. Love holographic beads.

 

Antique gold tone leaf pendant necklace. $1.99. Cut-rate.

DIY Craft Project: Spray-painted tin cans

Got empty cans at home? Then you can do this easy, easy DIY craft project and you will have the cutest decoration pieces for your home.

Things required:
Empty tin cans
Spray paint of choice
Plastic bowl
Mechanical pencil with eraser end
White acrylic paint
River pebbles
Dried flowers



STEPS

   Remove the label of the can

    Wash with warm water and soap to remove glue. It is fairly easy to remove.

Lay out on a flat surface, upside-down. Make sure you lay some paper down to catch the spray paint.

I used Rust-Oleum spray paint in satin aqua. I got this at Walmart for $3.77  This thing has lasted me a while...I have spray painted over 10 cans and bottles, and there's still more remaining. 

Make sure to test the nozzle on a rough surface if it is your first time using spray paint. Spraying a few times makes for smoother spraying. 

Don't spray too much or too close, as it can cause dripping. Let it dry thoroughly for an hour.

Add few drops of white acrylic paint into a plastic bowl. I used Plaid Apple Barrel acrylic paint in white. This is 57 cents at Walmart. Steal.

  Using eraser end of mechanical pencil, dip it into the white paint and dot onto can.

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It isn't perfect but isn't that all the rouge nowadays, shabby-chic. Of course you can be neater lol. Let the dots dry completely.

I bought these river pebbles in a baggie at Ikea. I think they were a dollar at most.

Fill less than half-way with pebbles.

Got a left-over, dried bouquet of flowers at home? Almost 90% of bouquets have these tiny white flowers, called baby's breath (just found out from Google). Shorten a few of this according to the size of your can.

Stick them in the middle of the can, among the pebbles, they should stay put owing to the weight of the pebbles.

And you're done! I have made a few before and I am absolutely loving them. Boho chic done cheap! You can also spray paint empty glass bottles. I filled this coke bottle with dried daises my hubby bought me last year.

There are some cool links on pinterest where they show you how to pot an actual plant in tin cans...I don't have a very green thumb, although I would like to. This project doesn't require upkeep and that is a good thing.