Nombu Kanji (Ramzan Porridge)

 Nombu Kanji recipes have been popping on YouTube for the past week. This made me do some research into what Nombu Kanji is and when to eat it. It is a simple porridge that Muslims eat to break their fast in the evening during Ramadan. It is similar to kitchidi or pongal. Moog dal and rice cooked with meat or vegetables. I made this simple nutritious dish on Tuesday this week. It was very filling. Of course I made it with vegetables. I adapted Chef Dhamu's recipe.

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons ghee

1 Tablespoon oil

1 inch cinnamon

2 cloves

2 green cardamom

1 Cup raw rice

3/4 Cup moong dal

1 medium onion, sliced

1 medium tomato, diced

2 teaspoons ginger garlic paste

3-4 green chili (Indian or Serrano), slit

1/4 Cup each fresh chopped cilantro and mint

1 Carrot, diced

1/4 Cup diced green pepper

2 Tablespoons green peas

salt to taste

                                                 

Method:

1. Run rice in processor coarsely.  Soak rice and dal separately for 15 minutes.

2. Heat 1 teaspoon ghee and 1 Tablespoon oil in a stock pot. Add dry spices and sauté for a minute.

                                              

3. Add onion, sauté till translucent. Now add ginger garlic paste and quickly sauté for a minute.

                         

4. Add tomato, vegetables, and green chili. Cook till tomato is mushy.

                         

5. Drain and stir in moong dal. Sauté for a couple minutes. Pour 6 cups of water. 

                          

6. Add chopped cilantro, and mint. Cover and cook until dal is soft.

                           

7. Drain and add rice to the pot. Add salt. Cover and cook until rice is cooked. Add more water if required.

                                             

8. Delicious porridge or Nombu Kanji is ready in 30 minutes. 

                                            

Add a teaspoon ghee before serving.