Ingredients

  • White rice – 2 cups
  • Chana dal – ½ cup (optional)
  • Moong dal – ½ cup
  • Oil – 4–5 tbsp
  • Ghee – 2 tsp (optional) + 3 tbsp (at the end)
  • Green cardamom – 2
  • Cinnamon sticks – 3
  • Cloves – 3
  • Fennel seeds – 1 tsp
  • Onions – 3 large, chopped
  • Ginger-garlic paste – 1 tbsp
  • Tomatoes – 1½, chopped
  • Green chilies – 5, chopped
  • Carrots – 4, chopped
  • Capsicum – 2½, chopped
  • French beans – 250 g, chopped
  • Green peas – ½ cup
  • Mint leaves – 1 handful
  • Coriander leaves – 1 handful, chopped
  • Red chili powder – 1 tsp
  • Turmeric powder – ½ tsp
  • Cumin powder – ½ tsp
  • Garam masala – 1 tsp
  • Cumin seeds – ½ tsp
  • Salt – To taste
  • Water – 12–13 cups

Difficulty : Easy

Serves : 10

Vegetable Nombu Kanji is a wholesome South Indian rice and dal porridge made with fresh vegetables, aromatic spices, and herbs. This creamy one-pot meal is nutritious, comforting, and easy to prepare, making it perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Serve it hot with pappadam, pickle, vada, cutlet, or coconut chutney for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Cooking Steps

  • 1
    Wash and soak 2 cups of white rice, ½ cup chana dal (optional), and ½ cup moong dal for 30 minutes.
  • 2
    Heat 4–5 tbsp oil and 2 tsp ghee (optional) in a pressure cooker.
  • 3
    Add 2 cardamoms, 3 cinnamon sticks, 3 cloves, and 1 tsp fennel seeds. Sauté until fragrant.
  • 4
    Add 3 chopped onions and cook until golden brown.
  • 5
    Add 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste and sauté until the raw smell disappears.
  • 6
    Add 1½ chopped tomatoes and 5 chopped green chilies. Mix well.
  • 7
    Add 4 chopped carrots, 2½ chopped capsicums, and 250 g chopped beans. Stir well.
  • 8
    Add mint leaves, 1 tsp red chilli powder, ½ tsp turmeric powder, ½ tsp cumin powder, and 1 tsp garam masala. Cook for 5 minutes.
  • 9
    Pour in 12–13 cups of water. Add the soaked rice and dals, ½ tsp cumin seeds, salt to taste, and chopped coriander leaves. Mix well.
  • 10
    Close the lid and pressure cook for 6 whistles.
  • 11
    Once the pressure releases naturally, open the cooker. Add ½ cup green peas and 3 tbsp ghee. Mix well.
  • 12
    f needed, add a little hot water and simmer for 5–10 minutes on medium flame, stirring occasionally.
  • 13
    Serve hot and enjoy!

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