Monday, June 9, 2014

Golden Kichuri (Yellow Peas, Rice, and Onion Relish and A New Routine


A new routine has been added to my morning duties. Not one I'm very proud of but one that requires a little manic activity. You see the slugs are going to town in my garden, not a new development as this happened last year as well. But this year I planted my beloved dahlias in the same space as my vegetables and they are going after them. Now to rid the garden of these horrible beast we use a device called the slug mobile. All it really is, is a small garden hand shovel which carries the slug down the hill to it's new destination, far away from the garden. (If anyone has a better idea, I'm all ears.)


Now for these pictures, after the hmmm...slug fest; Olive and I hiked up to the bench look-out on the Amanda trail and back. Along the way you can look back at the town and catch a glimpse of the ocean. The trail goes through coastal woodland and lush green ferns.


Kichuri is a one pot meal specifically from the Bengali region of India. This version from Deborah Madison's cookbook, "The New vegetarian Cooking for Everyone", is with yellow peas, rice, cumin, fresh cilantro, Garam Masala and turmeric with an onion relish. I really enjoyed the flavor of this dish. The next day I stuffed whole wheat quesadillas with this mixture and lightly sauteed broccoli with cheddar cheese.


*Here you soak the peas and rice each separately. Soak peas for 3 hours, place in a medium bowl and cover with a least 3 inches of water. Soak the rice at least 1 hour, cover with at least 3 inches of water. Drain. This extra step will help with digestion and help speed up the cooking time.*

Ingredients:

Yellow peas and rice:

2/3 cup yellow split peas
1 cup brown basmati rice (recipe as written used 1 2/3 cup)
3 tablespoons coconut oil
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro
1/2 teaspoon Garam Masala
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
3 to 4 cups water
1 teaspoon salt

Onion relish:

1 white onion, quartered and very thinly sliced crosswise
1/2 teaspoon salt
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne ( recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon)
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro


To prepare:

In a heavy skillet on medium high heat add coconut oil, then add cumin and cook until fragrant about 1 minute. Add the rice and peas, stir to coat with oil mixture. Then add cilantro, garam masala, turmeric, three cups water and salt. Bring to a boil, then lower heat, cover and simmer, about 15 to 20 minutes. Add more water if necessary. Turn off heat and let stand 10 minutes to steam.

In the meantime, start on the relish by tossing the onion with the remaining ingredients, Cover and set aside. To serve, fluff peas and rice, taste and add more salt if necessary. Serve with relish on the side.








Cheri Savory Spoon
Cheri Savory Spoon

Mysavoryspoon was first started in 2010 as a way to journal recipes that I had collected from cookbooks, magazines, family and friends. Most everything was savory, using legumes and whole grains. Along the way I discovered a love for baking. Now a couple times a month you might see some type of sweet pie or treat.

57 comments:

  1. Looks delicious! Love the idea of turning it into a grilled cheese, sounds like a very unique and tasty sandwich! :)

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  2. Don't the slugs just crawl back? I just stamp on them, which is heartless, but effective.

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    1. Hi Anne, I guess that's what garden boots are for, Ugh!

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  3. Your yellow peas and rice seems like it would hit the right spot! Can't wait to try it out!

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  4. Oh, no! Looks like the slugs are giving you extra work! Your Kichuri looks very tasty! Love one pot meals :)

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    1. Yes it is the battle of the slugs. Thanks the kichuri was delicious!

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  5. Your hike was gorgeous! As is this dish. Love the onion relish. We don't have a slug problem, but I have heard of putting out a pan of beer for them to drink. This helps catch them in one spot. So I've been told!

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    1. Hi Abbe, Thanks will try the beer method. Appreciate the comment.

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  6. Love your outdoor shots!
    Earwigs usually eat my dahlias..trying a whole new spot this yr!

    I ahve never heard of this dish..But it sounds so interesting!

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    1. Thank you, did not know earwigs like dahlias, oh how I love that flower(s).

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  7. I have never heard of this dish either, but it looks so pretty and tasty with the spices. Is it hard to get yellow peas? Oregon is so beautiful! Thanks for the pictures of it. Sorry about the slugs. I guess every region has something, doesn't it?!

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    1. Hi Shari, I picked up the peas at either Frys or Whole Foods in the bulk food section. Yes, it does seem like every region has something, that's for sure. Thanks!

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  8. That place looks fantastic Cheri and so are the quesadillas. Loving that you took and Indian traditional dish and gave it a Mexican twist! ;)

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    1. Hi Mike, the hiking is so nice here, many trails, woods or the beach. Thanks!

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  9. Never tried yellow peas rice.. Looks delicious..

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    1. Thanks, you could probably find them most any place that has bulk food bins, I really enjoyed them.

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  10. So sorry to hear about the slugs! But your hike looks wonderful. And I love Kitchari. YUM!

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    1. Hi Dena, I will fight the fight with the slugs, kind makes me sound a little mad, anyway the hiking is very nice here.

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  11. I think the beer remedy is worth tinkering with. Loved reading today's post, but was really intrigued with the Onion Relish... a must try for me!

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    1. Hi Sandra, the onion relish was delicious, it really brought a lot of flavor to this dish. I've heard of the beer remedy before.

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  12. I totally chuckled at your poor slug problem, that sounds awful! The food, as always looks yummy Cheri!

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    1. HI Phi, I know those darn slugs......Thanks for the comment!

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  13. The slug are hell but this is one helluva khichri Cheri and I Iove all kinds of khichri - this is a lovely meal.And I loved your lentils too. So great to serve it with eggs!

    ciao
    Devaki @ weavethousandflavors

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    1. Thanks Devaki, this was my first kichuri, next time will make it with eggplant, think that is more traditional.

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  14. Scrumptious! Everything looks delicious. I particularly love the rice dish.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  15. Wow is that your view from your home? Stunning! I know know it is so difficult when you have to fight with nature as nature always seems to win.Good luck with the slugs, I have not words of wisdom to offer you in that area. I really love your idea of stuffing a whole wheat wrap with your delicious onion, yellow rice and peas mixture. That looks so delicious!

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    1. Thanks Bam , no that is not the view from the house but from a hike I went on, such nice trails here.

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  16. yuck...slugs...I got goose bumps just writing that down.
    Peas and rice...a great pairing, Cheri. I love that relish even more.

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    1. Hi Angie, I know it's weird talking about slugs on a food blog. Thanks!

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  17. We've been on slug patrol also, and keep the salad greens patch well-thinned to discourage them... love this kichuri casadilla!

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    1. Aahh, I can tell by your words of "slug patrol" that you must going through the same thing, because that is exactly what you do. Thanks for stopping by.

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  18. I like the way you get rid of slugs, Cheri. They love my tender young plants and they are persistent. I've never heard of kichuri and it sounds delicious.

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    1. Thanks Cathy, I seem to be losing the battle. Thanks, this was my first time as well with kichuri and I really enjoyed it.

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  19. What a great dish. I love basmati rice and when it's infused with all those spices - turmeric and garam masala...mmm. Great idea to stuff it into quesadillas!

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    1. Thanks Monica, necessity is the mother of invention, all I had was the whole wheat tortillas.

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  20. Lovely spices in this dish! Hope the slugs stay away from your garden :)

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  21. Oh no. Sorry to hear about the slugs. We have them too. I didn't even know they liked tomatoes until last year. This golden kichuri sounds wonderful. and the onion relish on the side must of been perfect both in texture and flavor.

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    1. Hi Serena, wow! so great you can grow tomatoes where you are. The onion relish did made the dish. Thanks!

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  22. I love Indian food and these spices and flavours are already wafting in my mind and I'm hungry for that dish! Great recipe, Cheri - making quesadillas with the leftovers was a fabulous idea.
    I have a solution for your slugs but you won't like it because they don't survive it, lol. It's safe for the other animals in the area though. I got so sick and tired of dealing with them that I had to do it. Shoot me an email if you want the solution, lol.
    Enjoy your beautiful scenery!

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    1. Hi Robyn, will be sending you a email, desparate times.....

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  23. so you're a slug shuttle service? :)

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    1. Oh my goodness!! Yes, I am, adding this to my list of accomplishments!

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  24. This dish looks so good - I love Indian food and the flavors in this dish sound wonderful!

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    1. Hi Amy, I love Indian food as well. Thanks for stopping by.

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  25. Yeeewww ... slugs! I think your method of getting rid of them is perfect- I would do the same. I really couldn't squish them or anything like that!
    As for this dish, it sounds delicious, as usual with your recipes. So creative as well to use the leftovers in a sort of posh toastie the next day!
    P.S. That trail looks and sounds beautiful!

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    1. Hi Helen, I know we do not see many snails or any slugs in Arizona for pete sakes it's the desert. So interesting how each environment has it's own creatures.

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  26. This is making me so hungry and it's not even lunch time yet! I'll take 10 of these little pockets - minus the slugs!

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    1. Hi Grace, I know I probably should not have mixed slugs and food together, but you do have slugs when you grow food here, if that makes sense.

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  27. Love your version of khichuri. The idea of using it in sandwiches or quesadillas is very tempting.

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  28. THis is beautiful Cheri! I love Bengali cuisine because it is easy on me with my allergy to garlic. I wish I had been up to date on my blog reading, as I would have gotten the split peas this morning! Next week for sure!! ~ David

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  29. Saving this one! What a perfect vegetarian dinner for me this week :-)

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