Oats Khichdi

Oats Khichdi or savoury porridge has become a favourite dinner in recent times at my home. For me it is always happy meal to make as it is easy to make and tastes good every time with a bonus of being a very healthy option.

The recipe is very flexible, I would say. You can literally add any vegetables or protein you want.

Ingredients

1. Oats - 1 cup (Enough for three people)
2. 4 Cups water
3. 1 Cup Boneless chicken cut into small pieces
4. 1 tomato - roughly chopped
5. 1 Onion - thinly sliced
6. 1 Capsicum- cubed
7. 1 Medium carrot - cut into small cubes
8. A handful of french beans cut into small sizes
9. A handful peas 
10. Ginger and Garlic minced - 1 tbsp
11. Cumin seed - 1 tsp
12. Mustard seed - 1 tsp
13. 10 - 15 curry leaves
14. Salt, Pepper and pinch of Turmeric Powder.

You literally can add any vegetable of your choice. Add in corn, red and yellow bell pepper, mushroom. If you don't eat chicken, add Soya chunk or leave it out. Choice is yours.

Method

1. Saute the chicken with a sprinkle of salt and pepper in  1 teaspoon olive oil and keep aside.
2. In the same pan add 1 more teaspoon of olive oil and temper the mustard seeds, cumin seeds and curry leaves until it releases the beautiful aroma.
3. Add the finely chopped ginger and garlic and if you can handle a little heat, add in one chopped green chilli.
4. Saute the for 2 mins and add in all the vegetables along with onion and tomato. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper, a pinch of turmeric powder and cover and cook until the vegetables become soft. It should take no more than 10 mins.
5. Then add in the oats, mix well and pour in the water. you might need a little more water based on the consistency you want. After you add the water add in the chicken you sauteed earlier and give it a taste to check the salt.  
6. Mix everything well, cover and cook in low flame for 15 mins stirring after every 5 mins. If you want your porridge to be more soupy add in more water and adjust the salt accordingly.

I know Oats Khichdi might not sound exciting but trust me on this one. At the end of dinner every time the bowls are so clean that you can use them for another round. It satisfies every taste bud. You can also use different spices like only cumin seed or only mustard seed or none at all. However, I have found the combination of curry leaves along with the cumin and mustard seeds to be the most flavourful.