Bhuna Khichuri (Bengali Rice and Lentils)

Ingredients

• •1 cup white fragrant rice (e.g Basmati rice or short-grained pilau rice)
• •1 cup green gram or red split lentils
• •½ cup split dried chickpeas (preferably Bengal variety; optional)
• •½ cup garden peas (optional)
• •2 tablespoons butter (preferably ghee )
• •½ teaspoon turmeric powder
• •2 whole green chiles , slit in the middle and optionally de-seeded
• •Salt to taste
• •4 cups water for boiling
• •Spices for seasoning
• •2 bay leaves
• •4 green cardamom pods
• •4 whole cloves
• •2 sticks of cinnamon 1 inch long
• •¼ teaspoon cumin seeds
• •2 cm piece of ginger , finely chopped
• •For garnish
• •1 medium or 2 small onions , thinly sliced
• •2 tablespoons butter preferably ghee
• •1 bunch coarsely chopped fresh coriander leaves

Instructions

1. 1Rinse rice, lentils, and chickpeas separately in cold water.
2. 2Dry rice in a colander or on a flat surface.
3. 3Leave lentils and chickpeas to soak in water for 30 minutes.
4. 4Drain lentils and chickpeas, then roast them briefly until they emit an aroma; set aside to cool.
5. 5Heat water in a kettle to use later. Keep warm but not boiling .
6. 6Semi-crush cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves.
7. 7Heat 2 tbsp butter in a heavy-based pan over medium heat. Add bay leaf and semi-crushed spices in; once they start to sputter, add sliced ginger and cumin. Stir for 1–2 minutes until ginger has a nutty aroma.
8. 8Add green chili and garden peas, and stir once or twice.
9. 9Add rice to the mixture and stir gently for 2–3 minutes, making sure the oil coats it thoroughly.
10. 10Add lentils, chickpeas and salt; stir again for 1–2 more minutes
11. 11Add hot water to the pan. The level of water should be about 1 inch above the mixture. Lower the heat slightly, cover, and simmer until done. Check regularly to make sure rice does not burn at the bottom. Rice and lentils are done when there is no hard part in rice, it is medium firm, each one is easily separable, but not very soft or sticky. This should take around 10 minutes.
12. 12While the rice is simmering, heat the remaining butter in a separate frying pan. Fry the onion on a medium heat until it starts to brown.
13. 13When rice mixture is done, top with onion and accompanying oil. Garnish with coriander.
14. 14Turn down the heat to the lowest and cover until served which should not take long.