Namkeen Khichadi (Brown Rice + Lentil Porridge)

I love khichadi but then this food has no fiber and I start feeling hungry in few hours. And I am too lazy to eat again and again. As they say laziness is the mother of all invention. This is not exactly an invention but you get the gist ;)

1 cup brown rice

1/2- 2/3 cup moong dal (green lentil)

1 pinch of turmeric

Salt to taste

Add to rice cooker that can handle brown rice. Those who have experimented with brown rice know the importance of right cooking medium for brown rice. Otherwise be prepared to stay hungry with a mess of half cooked rice in swimming pool of water. 

So, next question is why rice cooker and not pressure cooker? Answer is simple, I want my food ready when I come from office otherwise I eat whatever comes in the range of my eyes. So, before leaving for work I can time it to keep my dinner ready by the time I am back. Got to love micro controllers for that :). 

This khicadi is way too bland so seasoning is required. These days I am in south Indian avataar so:

1 spoon mustard seeds + 1 fist of roasted peanuts + 2-3 spoon of grated coconut + few green chillies ground finely.

1 table spoon of ghee, heat it add jira, few curry leaves, red chilli powder

In a bit add the ground paste. Let it cook for few mins on low heat.

Add the seasoning to khichadi... enjoy the hot Meal with almost no effort! 

Compliment it with papad or buttermilk if you like :)

When I am in mood I complement plain khichadi with  kadhi.. not today though :)

Carbs + Fiber+ Protein in full stock

P.S. I am a firm believer of right tools. Either the utensils should be dishwasher safe or the pot should be such a nice non stick that even porridge shouldn't stick to it. Non efficient tools are waste of time and beats the whole purpose of quick and effortless food during busy hours.

New Juicer and New Juice Combo

So, I finally chose a masticating / slow juicer.

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/hurom-slow-juicer/?pkey=cblenders-juicers

Likes:
1) It is a slow juicer. so it doesn't generate heat and hence protects all the nutrients of the juice.
Dislikes:
1) I am an antiplastic person. I don't like the plastic body. I loved Breville for that reason. Yeah it is BPA free but still...
2) I have to cut fruit for it. Food chute is very small. Breville used to take whole fruit be it apple or carrot.
3) It is not dishwasher safe. :( But then I had to clean Breville with hand as well as the juicing time never synched with dishwashing time.

I finally chose the inconvenience. I thought what is the point of putting in efforts when the question still remains whether I am getting nutrition or not.

I tried few combinations. One of them worth the blog is

1) 3 Carrots (I had thin and small) (clean, peeled and chopped in chunks)
2) 2 kiwis     (peeled and chopped in chunks)
3) 2 Apple    (Cleaned and chopped in chunks)

The rule of the slow juicer is to alternate different fruits so that nothing is stuck. I cut all the fruit and put it randomly. I had no issues with fiber being caught up etc.

Result : A very refreshing drink. It was neither too sweet nor sour and nor flat/bland. Just right and refreshing.

Iron + Vitamin A / Beta carotene + Vitamin C + etc.

Tips: Peeling a carrot is very important if you don't like bitter juicer. Also it avoids all possibility of soil in the juice. I generally wash all my fruit carefully as I don't know how many hands touched it before I got it.

Side note: Those who are interested in wheat grass shots, this juicer takes care of it fairly well.

Some oats myths

Most of us who think about healthy food and healthy breakfast have oats in our menu. Here is a quick note that most of us don't pay attention to.

We use (atleast I do) instant oatmeal instead of regular steel cut / rolled etc. Yes, it give us similar amount of whole grain and fiber and other nutrition but the downside is it is loaded with Sodium. And all those flavorful oats have lot of sugar as well. So, along with the nutrition we are still getting lot of Sodium and Sugar. Conclusion #Fail.

Suggestion: Get those standard oats and cook them right. How? I will get back to every one when I figure out some tasty and quick way to cook them for breakfast in the morning when we are always late and choose to skip breakfast or grab a muffin.