Before we talk about today’s recipe, I have some good news to share with the foodies; especially those who reside in Delhi.
Heard about Food Panda? Well, recently some Tweets were going viral on Twitter. A cryptic tweet was sent form the handle @FoodpandaIndia saying “Are you ready for a Culinary Revolution” and “The greatest food delivery website is coming soon to an area next to you.”
Google around a bit and I came to know more about this. Already popular in places like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand etc, Food Panda is now launched in India. Though they are yet catering to people in Delhi, I am sure, soon more Indian metropolitan cities will be included (Rumors are that Mumbai and Pune are to be included later this month!). Here is the brief information about them (As available on their Website)
Foodpanda is a simple service to order food from a variety of restaurants online. Enjoy different cuisines and flavors delivered to your door step.
This is how foodpanda works: (Source :Foodpanda.com)
1. Find a restaurant
Enter your postcode on the home page. Browse from our extensive list of restaurants that deliver to your area. Pick a restaurant you like and browse its menu.
2. Order what you want
Build up your meal by choosing from any of your favorite restaurants, browse the menu and select the items you will like to order. If options are required, e.g. pizza toppings, you will be asked to choose them one you click on an item. Your items will appear on your cart on the right.
3. Checkout & Payment
Once you are happy with your order, click on the “ORDER NOW” button and enter your delivery address. Simply follow the checkout instructions from there. We currently only accept cash on delivery.
4. Delivery
We will send you an SMS confirming your order and delivery time. Sit back, relax and wait for piping hot food to be conveniently delivered to you!
Seems like things are going to get simpler and quicker for food lovers 
Competition in Indian food delivery business is about to get more bearish, as more & more online food delivery sites are launched. Foodpanda seems like a promising one! Do check out their website, and if you like the concept, just join them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter
Just before the summers leave India, I wanted to relish the Sindhi Style Khichdi, called Patri (Liquid like) Khichdi (Rice and lentils cooked together). Generally during summers, this khichdi is made and enjoyed with a variety of Subzis, ranging from Turnips to Spinach, Smooth gourds to potatoes. The rice and lentils are cooked together along with some black pepper corns, till creamy and usually served with a dash of desi ghee, some homemade Dahi (yogurt)/pickle/mangoes/Papad. A light meal in summer, simple, healthy and delicious!
But there is a healthy twist in the basic recipe. Interested?? Just scroll down!!!!!!
Generally lentils and rice are cooked with plain water. But I used vegetable stock, just like we use in Risotto.To make a quick vegetable stock, just chop veggies like carrot, beans, cauliflower, cabbage etc (around 11/2 to 2 cups) and pressure cook with 6 cups of water till 8-10 whistles. Strain and reserve this liquid to use for cooking rice and Dal.
| Patri Khichreen|Sindhi Style Khichdi |
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- Rice 11/2 cup
- Khichdi ki Dal (Husked Green Gram) ½ cup ( You can vary the ratio of rice and lentils)
- Salt as per taste
- Turmeric powder ¼ tsp or less
- Black pepper corns 5-7
- Ghee/oil 2tsp
- Vegetable stock or water 5 cups (more or less)
- Mix rice and lentils, rinse well with water and soak for 15-20 minutes. Drain and keep aside.
- In a pressure cooker, heat 2 tsp of oil. Add Peppercorns and rice and saute’ for a minute or so. You can also add 1-2 whole green cardamoms.
- Add water/ vegetable stock, salt, turmeric powder and mix well.
- Close the lid of pressure cooker and wait until pressure is released 6-7 times (6-7 whistles).Turn the flame to lowest mark and let the Khichdi cook for 1-2 more minutes.Put off the flame.
- Once the pressure subsides, just mash Khichdi with Wooden masher till its creamy. Some prefer it without mashing, so choose the way you want to eat.
- The consistency of this khichdi is liquid like, so if needed add some water and boil for a minute or so.
- Serve immediately with a dash of Desi Ghee, along with any Subzi of your choice. Hot patri Khichreen taste equally good with some curd, papad or pickle.
- I served Khichreen with Karela and Potato Subzi, some curd and baked peels of Bittergourd (Karele Ji kaath, as called in Sindhi)
Love your photos and recipe. I will have to try it soon.
Nice and easy recipe.
Beautiful recipe and mouth watering picture of traditional KhichNee or Khichreen as you have spelled it. Absolutely love it.
Lovely photo Alka!! I am a fan of khichdi, basically I fall for anything with moong dal!! I make the exact same version, but just add cumin and garlic