HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

CHOCOLATE ECLAIRS

CHOCOLATE ECLAIRS
Wishing all my fellow bloggers a Merry Christmas!!!!!!! It’s Christmas time, time to make chocolates.
Jingle Bells!! Jingle Bells!! Jingle on his way,
Santa Claus is coming along with Chocolates on his tray…..howzattt!!!!!!

Making chocolates at home is a stress busting activity and you can include your kids as well, since this recipe doesn’t involve cooking on gas. My little one helped me in crushing the biscuits and adding the ingredients with much enthusiasm and even helped me in rolling the éclairs. The best part of making chocolates at home is they don’t need to look perfect. If they look perfect you don’t get a homemade feel to it. It looks like you have bought it from a shop.

Ingredients
Glucose biscuits - 20
Cocoa powder - 1 tbsp
Milk Powder – 1 cup
Corn flour - 1 tsp
Condensed milk - 1/2 tin
Butter - 1 tbsp
Vanilla powder – 1 tsp
Milk - 1/4 cup
Walnuts or Cashews - 1 tbsp.
M&M Chocolates for decoration – 1 small packet.

Method
Toast the walnuts or cashews whichever u are using and break them into pieces, it should be like half crushed, half broken. (For those who are allergic to nuts can avoid the nuts in this recipe)
Put glucose biscuits in a zip lock bag and zip it. Now crush it coarsely with a rolling pin. Make a paste of the corn flour, cocoa and half the milk. This is done to ensure that there are no lumps. The paste should be thick, so add milk just enough to make a thick paste and no more. Heat remaining milk to a boil, pour into cocoa paste, mix till well blended.

In a bowl, Empty condensed milk, butter and vanilla powder (if you don’t have vanilla powder you can use vanilla essence about 4-5 drops). Beat till light and blended. Add cocoa milk mixture, blend well. Add crushed biscuits and walnuts, mix well. Apply some butter to your hands and make balls, you can make oval or round shaped balls or peda shaped. Place in a tray on greaseproof paper. If you are not able to roll it well, put in the deep freezer for about 5-7 minutes and the mixture will become thicker for you to be able to make balls of it.
Applying butter gives a glaze to the chocolates.
In some of the rolled chocolates you can place colorful M&M chocolates (which are actually the cadbury Gems of India), this makes it look colorful and appealing to kids.
Now keep in the deep freezer for about half an hour Allow to cool completely. Chill till well set. Serve chilled. Store in refrigerator till required.

LORD KRISHNA OVERTURNS THE MILK CART KILLING DEMON SAKATASURA

LORD KRISHNA OVERTURNS THE MILK CART KILLING DEMON SAKATASURA
There was a great feast at the house of Nanda and Yashodha. Yashodha found that her child had gone off to sleep and so she put him to bed under a cart which contained vessels full of milk, curd and butter.
Kansa had sent Sakatasura to kill baby Krishna. Sakatasura took the form of the cart so that he wont be seen killing the baby. After some time, the child opened his eyes, he was hungry and cried for his milk. As Yashodha was busily engaged in receiving her guests, she did not hear Sri Krishna’s cry. Demon Sakatasura saw this as an opportunity and before anyone would come hearing the little baby cry, he started pressing the baby with the cart with the intention of crushing the little baby as per Kansa’s orders.
Lord Krishna knew this, with just a push of his little foot he kicked the cart. The cart was upset, the wooden wheels were shattered, The axles which are fitted inside the naves of the wheels with iron tubes were broken, the bow yoke which is a shaped wooden crosspiece bound to the necks of a pair of oxen yoke was shattered and the cart was overturned spilling milk, curd and butter on the ground. The pots were shattered and milk started flowing into his mouth. Hearing the noise and cry of the demon everyone came out. The Gopas and Gopis were struck with wonder. They could not believe what their eyes saw. Lord Krishna the baby was drinking the milk falling from the cart into his mouth and there was a dead Asura lying at the other end of the cart.
The boys who were playing there told the Gopas and the Gopis, that the child Krishna while crying had overturned the cart by his kicks.
They did not realize the immeasurable strength of that child. They were wonderstruck that the little baby had so much power as to break and overturn the cart. Yasodha tried to explain away the event as the work of some other demon like Putana trying to injure her dear darling child, Krishna.
Thus Lord Krishna killed the demon Sakatasura by kicking the cart with his tiny feet.

(Picture Courtesy www.Krishna.com)

BENEFITS OF A MASSAGE

Massage Benefits

The literal meaning of 'massage' is manipulation of the soft tissues of the body using the hands. Massage Therapies are directed to eliminate the disease completely, permanently. In Ayurvedic Treatment massage is done in a traditional manner with application of medicated herbal oils. The selection of oil depends on the condition of the subject. Human touch connects one person to another and the feelings shared are healing and energizing emotionally. Some of the benefits of massage are listed below.

Pain Relief: All kinds of pains and muscular aches can be eliminated through massage therapy. It is beneficial in curing rheumatism arthritis, headaches, migraines, chronic back pain. It helps relieve muscle tension and stiffness.

Improved Circulation: Its most important application is that it increases blood circulation, increasing life span and general sense of well being.

Stress Relief: Massage is a great way to reduce the stress in your life. It helps in curing tension-related headaches.

Reducing Blood Pressure: Massage is helpful in decreasing blood pressure in people with hypertension.

Better Sleep: Massage therapy induces a sound sleep for some days. Regular massage relieves mental stress.

Improves Flexibility: It provides greater joint flexibility and range of motion. It relieves muscle tension and stiffness

Athletic Performance: Massage therapy enhances athletic performance. It speeds up healing of injury and prevents further injury.

Strengthens the Immune System: It stimulates the digestive system and activates the urinary system.

Emotional Benefits: Massage is good for healing emotions. It satisfies the need for caring nurturing touch.

Body Awareness: Massage creates body awareness and enhances capacity for calm thinking and creativity.

Massage therapy can soothe pain, relax stiff muscles, and reduce the swelling that accompanies arthritis. Massage and gentle stretching help maintain a joint's range of motion.

If you have osteoarthritis, gentle massage can help ease the pain. Start by putting few drops of Arthcare massage oil on your fingertips. Then work slowly around the affected joint, making small, gentle circles with your fingertips. It's best to avoid massage directly on the joint; stay just above and below it with your fingertips. Work on the area around the joint for three to five minutes each day.

Gentle massage may also help reduce swelling in rheumatoid arthritis. Use the effleurage stroke to work the muscle and tissue around the joint with your fingertips. Make sure you use oil or on your fingers to make the massage more gentle. Work the area for five to ten minutes a day.

Massage can help any pain originating from muscle tension: example - legs, back, neck, and shoulder pain. All can benefit from massage. Releasing tightness and tension in muscles is the most obvious effect of a good massage.

Self Massage: Wonderfully relaxing and energizing at the same time, a daily self-massage with warm oil is easy to do and takes only about 30 minutes. You can do it at home each morning, and reap the benefits of this luxurious therapy all day long.

Ayurvedic texts list a wide range of benefits from regular performance of the warm oil full-body massage:

1. It helps pacify Vata dosha, the space and air elements in the physiology.

Because of our hectic 24/7 lives, most of us have high levels of stress, anxiety, a feeling of being overwhelmed and spaced-out, all indications of an aggravated Vata dosha. Soothing touch is very Vata-pacifying. Warm oil, being warm, smooth and unctuous, is also Vata-pacifying.

2. The massage also helps balance Kapha dosha, the water and earth elements in the physiology.

It enhances circulation throughout the body and revitalizes a lethargic body and mind.

3. With regular performance of the massage, deep-seated toxins in the joints and tissues are loosened and released into the system for elimination through the natural toxin-release processes.

Toxins in the skin are also released, leaving you with clear healthy skin.

PONNANGANNI KEERAI MOLAGOOTAL/KOOTU

PONNANGANNI KEERAI MOLAGOOTAL/KOOTU
Being brought up in a North eastern suburb of Mumbai, I hardly got to see many varieties of Greens. Moving to Singapore post marriage exposed me to a whole new world of Greens, not only greens that came from China which I had never seen in my life, but greens that came from India and Malaysia which are actually consumed by people who hail from Southern India, one such greens is the Ponnanganni Keerai, This is the simple molagootal also known as kootu in Tamilnadu, that is made with the Ponnanganni Keerai. Including greens in your daily diet is very good. Ponnanganni is the tamil word for this variety of the greens. It is known as Mukunawanna, Water amaranth in English, In Malayalam as coluppa, koluppa, minannani, ponnankannikkira, ponnannani. In Kannada as Honagonne/ honagone soppu, In Telugu as ponagantikura, ponna ganti-kura, In Marathi as Kanchari. And In Hindi as Gudrisag.
Every green leafy vegetable has certain nutritional and medicinal values. The Ponnanganni Keerai I learnt improves eye sight, is good for people suffering from Piles, It is good for improving complexion of the skin, Good for loosing weight and general flabbiness. I have clicked a picture of the Ponnanganni keerai for easy identification. Below is the recipe for this nutritious green leafy vegetable.

Ingredients
Ponnanganni Keerai – 1 bunch
Toor Dal – ½ cup
Fresh Grated Coconut -- 1 cup
Cumin seeds - 1 tbsp.
Red chillies - 1-2
Tamarind extract - 1 tablespoon
Turmeric – 1tsp
Asafetida - a pinch
Coconut Oil - 2 tsps
Mustard seeds – 1tsp
Udad dal – 1 tsp
Salt as per taste

Method
Rinse the toor dal well. Pressure cook it until its soft and keep aside. Pluck out the leaves of the Ponnanganni from its stems. Rinse it well in a colander and chop the leaves.
Heat a kadhai (wok), Add one tablespoon of the coconut oil, when the coconut oil is hot, add the ponnanganni leaves, salt, asafetida and turmeric powder and sauté till the leaves shrink in size, mash well with a spoon, now add the cooked toor dal, mix it well with the cooked ponnanganni leaves, Add some water if required at this stage, let it come to a boil.
In a mixie, blend the freshly grated coconut, cumin seeds and red chillies, Grind until the coconut starts to release the milk. Pour this grounded mixture into the Keerai and toor dal mix. Stir well, allow it to simmer for a minute on low flame. Stir once more. Now, in a small pan, take some coconut oil, add the mustard seeds and when it begins to crackle, add the udad dal, when the dal turns pink pour the seasoning on top, mix well and serve hot with Rice.

Tip : Sautéing the greens in coconut oil enhances its taste.

MATTHA (Spiced Buttermilk from Maharashtra)

MATTHA
Mattha is a spiced buttermilk, this is again another Maharashtrian speciality. The main ingredient of the Mattha is buttermilk. People who save the cream obtained from milk, usually churn the cream to obtain butter, once the butter is scooped out, what remains is the buttermilk, this buttermilk has a unique taste and is not liked by some people, but it is very nutritious, So, spices are added to this buttermilk and lo and behold it becomes the Matttha. The Mattha is generally served before or after a meal, though it can also be had with the meal, and it is thought to help with digestion. It is very good for soothing an upset stomach because it has lactobacilli and it is lower in fat than yoghurt. The Mattha acts as a coolant for the body. It is good to have after a heavy meal, a wedding feast or in hot summer days, to cool your system and help with digestion.

For those who don’t save cream and make butter at home. We can still have mattha by mixing yogurt with water and the spices. Here is the recipe of the Mattha. I have had Mattha in my house which we call as “Kadanja Mor”(Churned Buttermilk) down south. But I got to taste the authentic Maharashtrian Mattha in Pune, thanks to my husband, it was served in earthern mugs, cool and oh so delicious!!!! Here is the recipe for all of you to enjoy.

Ingredients
Low fat Yogurt – 250 ml
Water – 250 ml
Green chillies – 2-3
Ginger – a small piece
Mint – 4-5 leaves
Curry leaves – 1 sprig
Coriander leaves – ¼ cup
Salt as per taste
Sugar – ½ tsp
Cumin powder – ½ tsp (preferably use freshly roasted and powdered cumin)
Asafetida – a pinch
Chaat Masala – ½ tsp

Method
Finely chop the green chillies, coriander leaves and mint leaves. Keep aside. Finely grate the ginger. In a jug, blend the yogurt and water. Add the finely chopped, green chillies, coriander leaves and mint leaves, break some curry leaves into 2, for the essence to enter into the Mattha and some you can add as a whole. Add the finely grated ginger. Now add salt, sugar, asafetida, Freshly, roasted and powdered cumin powder and chaat masala. Mix everything well with a hand churner or a big spoon. Taste the Mattha, if anything needs to be added, add it and refrigerate it. It tastes better if kept for a while as all the spice enters into the Mattha and enhances the taste
Serve cool. If you want to serve immediately to the guests, you can add icecubes and serve chilled. It would be ideal to make and serve the Mattha in earthernware.
Cool down with Mattha.

SUNDAKKAI / MANATHAKKALI VATHAL RICE

Sundakkai /Manathakkali Vathal Rice
Sundakkai and Manathakkali Vathal are available in South Indian shops. They are already dried and salted. The vathals have to be simply fried, once fried, coarsely powder them in a mixie and you can mix this powder with rice and ghee or gingelly oil. As these vathals are usually heavily salted you don’t need to add salt.
The bigger balls are the fried Sundakkai and the smaller balls are the fried Manathakkali vathals.

Below are the close up photos of both the salted and fried vathals .

TEETH AND GUMS

TEETH AND GUMS

Tooth and Gum Health

Why go natural for tooth and gum health?

Isn't it a wonder that despite the advent of latest tools for oral hygiene such as toothpastes and mouthwashes and the advancement in dental science, more people suffer from tooth and gum related diseases today than ever before?

It is now a widely recognized fact that tooth decay is really a disease of the modern civilization. Modern diet and an overemphasis on refined foods, cereals, processed or synthetic foods lead to a condition of spongy and receding gums. Various gum diseases such as pyorrhea and gingivitis are also a direct consequence of our modern living habits.

Processed and synthetic formulations such as mouthwashes and chemical-based toothpastes most often aggravate the problem that they claim to correct. Very often the consequences can be even more severe. The Dept. of Health and Human Services (USA) has issued warnings that alcohol in mouthwashes is linked to both oral and throat cancer. Fluoride in toothpastes has already been linked to cancer.

The bottom line is why use these toothpastes and mouthwashes, when in fact nature has provided a wealth of herbs and fruit that have a phenomenal effect on oral health with absolutely no side effects. These "miracles" of nature are so powerful that our forefathers have used them for thousands of years. As an example, just try pressing a clove between your teeth in cases of toothaches and feel the pain vanish!!

"Mother Nature's Gift" for Oral Health and Hygiene

• Neem : In a study to determine the most effective method for reducing plaque formation and the level of bacteria on teeth surface it was found that micro-organisms found in inflamed gums are resistant to antibiotics but not to antibacterial plant extracts like Neem. And unlike antibiotics, antibacterial plant extracts produced no allergy in the gingival that could inhibit their effectiveness. Neem extracts have been very effective in destroying cavity-causing bacteria, enhancing mouth immunity and preventing tartar and plaque buildup. They have helped millions of people avoid cavities. Neem can be a painless way to avoid severe dental problems. In a German study, 70 patients with pyorrhea in varying stages showed significant improvement after just 5 to 10 treatments with neem-based products. Bleeding gums had healed and the secretion from pockets around the teeth had stopped. The bluish-colored gums returned to a healthy pale pink color. Neem Twigs have been used by thousands of people for hundreds of years as an extremely effective method of total oral hygiene.
• The Ayurvedic and medicinal properties of the Babul tree (Acacia Arabica) are also well known. This natural ingredient strengthens the root of the teeth, cleans and maintains the whiteness of the teeth.
• Clove and its oil is an absolute wonder therapy for toothaches and gum disorders. It is an excellent pain reliever and often dentists use it to numb the gums prior to administering a shot. Besides this clove oil is also useful in relieving sore throats and is a powerful breath freshener.
• Besides, neem, babul and clove, there are several vital herbs and natural oils that work wonders on tooth and gum health. A mixture of Eucalyptus, clove, and Spearmint is extremely potent in eliminating harmful bacterial build-up in the mouth and a very good cleansing agent.
• Majuphal is a fruit that has a remarkable astringent property and it reduces over secretion of mucous. It's haemostatic property ensures its beneficial effect on bleeding gums and on gingivitis.
• The Catechu (Khadir) bark is extremely beneficial in cases of toothache and spongy gums.
• Ginger oil is an astringent for teeth. Ginger is an excellent astringent wash for the teeth while lemon is a good whitener.
• Herbodent (Orohyi) Herbal Toothpaste is a potent formulation that uses the power of these natural herbs to stimulate oral health.

HOME REMEDIES FOR TEETH WHITENING
Given below are a few important and useful tips/home remedies which will help in making your teeth sparkling white and your million dollar smile, a topic of envy for others who see it.

• Brushing teeth daily with powdered neem leaves not only makes them pearl white but also keeps them healthy.
• Brushing teeth twice regularly with a mixture of soda bicarb and powdered salt makes them sparkling white.
• Rubbing salt on the teeth and rinsing off after sometime, is equally helpful in making the teeth sparking white.
• Dry and grind orange peels to a coarse powder and brush your teeth daily with this powder for making them beautiful and sparkling white.
• You can even make dry powder and store pomegranate peels and brush your teeth every morning and night with this mixture for a good sparkle.
• Roast full turmeric and powder it. If this mixture is rubbed on the teeth daily, it not only stops and avoids any teeth related problems but also makes the teeth sparkling white.
• Another simple tip to make your teeth a topic of envy among others, is to eat sugarcane daily.
• If your teeth has tuned yellowish in colour, roast-ajwain and grind it to a fine powder. Rub this powder on your teeth and then rinse off after a few minutes. Your teeth will become sparkling white within just a few days.
• For yellowish teeth treatment, you can also rub together a mixture of turmeric powder, powdered salt and lime juice on it. Repeating this process for about 15-16 days, will bring back the natural glow.
• Boil fenugreek seeds in water, let cool and then gargle with the strained water inorder to make your teeth strong and sparkling white.
• Powdered cloves and lump sugar not only makes your teeth white but also keeps them healthy if used daily.
• After squeezing out juice from limes, do not throw away the peels. Instead rub them to your teeth well to discover a natural glow.

TOOTHACHE
A toothache is any pain or soreness within or around a tooth, indicating inflammation and possible infection. Generally a toothache happens if tooth decay penetrated the pulp chamber or is very close to it, which contains the nerves and tiny blood vessels. An improper diet favors the development of tooth disease and other maladies of the mouth. Food particles lodged in the area may provide a suitable place for the growth of bacteria, and these in turn produce a local acid reaction which then attacks the surface of the tooth. Once the enamel has been eroded away the body of the tooth is more easily damaged. Eventually inflammation develops in the pulp chamber of the tooth, resulting in the pain of tooth. At first the tooth may be merely sensitive to hot and cold substances in the mouth, or perhaps to pressure from biting. Later, as an abscess forms at the base of the tooth, the pain becomes more severe. It may be sharp, throbbing, shooting, or constant.
Some of the important causes of toothache are:

• Inflammation of the tooth pulp.
• Erosion exposure of sensitive dentine
• Involvement of peridental membrane
• Involvement of the periosteum of the jaw, traumatic, septic infection after tooth extraction
• Occasionally malposition of delayed eruption of a tooth or inflammation of the gum or the antrum.

HOME REMEDIES FOR TOOTHACHE

• Add a half tea spoon of salt to a glass of warm water and rinse your mouth with this solution every few hours as needed. This is very useful home remedy for toothache.
• For toothache treatment apply an ice bag to the side of the face where the pain is felt.
• If there is food debris in the cavity of the tooth, gently remove, and apply a small wad of cotton containing oil of cloves to reduce the pain.
• Prepare a paste by mixing oil of cloves with a small quantity of zinc oxide powder. Use this paste to fill the cavity in the aching tooth. This will prevent the food materials from accumulating in the cavity.
• Peel and crush a clove of fresh garlic and mix it with peanut butter. Apply it to the aching tooth and keep it there for some time.
• Add some limejuice to asafetida (hing) powder. Soak a piece of cotton and hold it on the tooth and gum.
• Burn some turmeric (haldi) sticks, make a fine powder and use as toothpowder.
• Chew a ginger piece slowly with the aching tooth/teeth to release its juice and leave there for half an hour. Repeat 2-3 times. This is also very useful home remedy for toothache.
• Drink the juice of 2-3 star fruit twice a day to get relief from the tooth pain.
• Boil 5 gram of peppermint and a pinch of salt in 1 cup of water. Drink it to relieve toothache and other pains.
• Pour a few drops of Vanilla extract on the paining tooth.
• For toothache treatment pour a few drops oil of oregano on the paining tooth or gum.
• Mix together fresh peanuts, shelled and crushed, and onion, peeled and crushed, to form a fine paste. The paste is smeared on one side of something, like a piece of bread. This is placed inside the mouth, pressed against the sore tooth. This is left for a few hours, and nothing is drunk or eaten etc.
• Chewing raw onion for three minutes is sufficient to kill all the germs in the mouth. Placing a small piece of onion on the bad tooth or gum often relieves toothache.
• Vitamin C, is useful in maintaining the health of the teeth and other bones of the body. It prevents decay and loosening of the teeth, dental caries, toothache, and bleeding of the gums
• The juice of wheat grass acts as an excellent mouthwash for tooth decay and cures toothaches.
• Prepare a paste of the bark of bay berry with vinegar. This paste, applied on the affected tooth, will relieve the toothache.
• Apply a mixture of a pinch of pepper powder and a quarter teaspoon of common salt on the affected tooth. Its daily use prevents dental cavities, foul breath, bleeding from the gums, painful gums, and toothaches
• It is important to restrict one's sugar intake, and to ensure that the diet includes plenty of raw vegetables and whole-wheat bread. Whole foods are ideal for the teeth. Fibreless refined foods allow particles to accumulate on the teeth in a sticky mass where they can do great harm.
• Prepare a paste by adding two teaspoons of activated charcoal powder with just enough water. Apply it to a piece of gauze and place the gauze on the tooth. Bite down.
• Boil 5-6 cloves and 2- inch bark of a Margosa tree (Neem) in 1 cup of water. Strain and bottle. Store this in the fridge. Smear this decoction on the affected tooth.
• A wad of cotton wool soaked in brandy can be squeezed against a cavity to numb the pain of toothache.

SUNDAKKAI CURRY

SUNDAKKAI CURRY
Sundakkai has excellent healing properties, due to this, it is excellent for the post partum period. My grandmother used to say that it can heal internal wounds and works well for children who are suffering from worms in the stomach. This curry doesn’t have many spices. Do try this recipe.

Ingredients
Fresh Sundakkai - 250 grams (Refer to photo on your right for a picture of Fresh sundakkais)
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Udad dal - 1 tsp
Green chillies – 1-2 broken into 2 halves
Turmeric -1/4 tsp
Asafetida (Hing) - a small pinch
Cooking oil - 1 tbsp
Salt as per taste.

Method
Pluck our the sundakkais from the stem, so that u get only the sundakkai balls. Wash the sundakkai balls well.
In a Kadhai (wok), Add oil, when it is hot, Add the mustard seeds and when they begin to crackle, Add the udad dal, wait till udad dal is light pink in colour, then add the green chillies. When the green chillies are slightly fried, Add the sundakkais. Now add turmeric, asafetida and salt. Mix well and cover the kadhai with a lid. Don’t add water, let it cook in its own juices. Keep the gas on a low flame. Sundakkai has a tendency to cook very fast. To check if it done. Remove one sundakkai and press lightly, if it gets squashed, u will know that it done, let all the juices be totally evaporated and fry for another 2-3 minutes. Serve hot with Rasam and Rice.

MAG NI DAL NI KHICHDI (Spiced rice made with yellow lentils)

MAG NI DAL NI KHICHDI (Spiced rice made with yellow lentils)
Khichdi made out of rice and yellow lentils(mag ni dal). This is supposed to be very light on the stomach and is usually had when people are not feeling well, have stomach upsets. The khichdi is usually served with kadhi( a sweet think yogurt gravy). It’s very good for health.

Ingredients
Basmati Rice – 2 cups
Yellow Moong dal(Mag ni dal) - 3/4 cup
Ginger – A small piece
Green Chillies – 2-3
Peppercorns – 1 tsp
Freshly grounded pepper powder – ½ tsp
Freshly grounded cumin powder – ½ tsp
Cumin seeds – 1 ½ tsp
Cinnamon - 1 stick
Bay leaves -1-2
Turmeric – 1 tsp
Asafetida – a pinch
Salt to taste
Ghee – 2 tbsps
Curry leaves – A sprig
Method
Wash and soak the rice and dal together for about an hour, this will ensure water retention and cook the khichdi better.
In a pan , Take some ghee, Add the cumin seeds and whole black peppercorns(while adding peppercorns, crush one or 2 peppercorns, cinnamon stick and Bay leaves and let them fry. When the peppers burst add the grated Ginger and finely chopped chillies and let it fry, add asafetida, Add the curry leaves and fry. Now pour this in the soaked rice and dal, add turmeric, salt, freshly grounded pepper powder and the freshly grounded cumin powder. Mix well. Add water to one inch above level of rice and pressure cook it upto 4 whistles. Once you open the cooker your Khichdi is ready. Serve it hot with some hot melted ghee and Kadhi.