Mitho Khichdo
Sweet Khichdo

Makar Sankranti /uttrayana/ maghi / Pongal all are harvest festivals and homes are full of delicious aromas of authentic festive foods. The sun has transited from the zodiac of Sagittarius(dhanu) to Capricorn(makara). The sky is dotted with pretty and colorful kites. Emerald green fields are being harvested. Every state of our nation celebrates their harvest festival in different ways.
Mitho Khichdo is prepared on Makar Sankranti in Gujarat, in households and also in temples as Prasad. ‘Mitho’ means sweet in Gujarati. The dish is prepared with husked wheat, peanuts, split pigeon peas (Toor dal) and lots of dry fruits. This creamy and filling delicacy tastes heavenly.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes.
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4 persons

Ingredients:
For Basic Khichdo:
1 cup husked wheat
1 cup split pigeon peas (without oil)
½ cup peanuts
3 tbps chopped dry dates
2 tsp sugar

For Sweet Khichdo:
2 cup boiled khichdo
2 tsp almond slivers
2 tsp chopped cashew
2 tsp pistachios slivers
2 tsp kismis
1 tsp chopped walnuts
¼ tsp cinnamon powder
½ tsp nutmeg
2-3 mace
4-5 white pepper
½ cardamom powder
1 tsp saffron
1 tbsp + ½ cup ghee

Method:

1. Soak husked wheat for 7-8 hours or overnight. Next day remove water and rinse with clean water twice or thrice. Soak split pigeon peas and peanuts at least 3 hours before cooking. Rinse it after its soaked.
2. Now add soaked wheat, split pigeon peas, peanuts and chopped dry dates in pressure cooker. Add 2 tsp sugar and add water until everything submerges into the water. Close the lid and pressure cook it for 4-5 whistles on a medium flame.
3. Now heat ghee in a thick bottom pan, and add pressure cooked wheat mixture. Add kismis and mix well, cook for 2-3 minutes on low flame.
4. Now add about one glass of water, mix it well. Boil saffron and cook for 1-2 minutes on low flame. Then add sugar and cook for 4-5 minutes on a low flame. Stir occasionally.
5. After 4-5 minutes add cardamom powder, cinnamon powder and pounded nutmeg, mace and black pepper powder. Add all nuts and mix well and cook for couple of minutes.
6. Lastly add 1 tbsp ghee and mix well. Cook for couple of seconds then turn off the heat. Close the lid and let it rest for 10-15 minutes
7. Serve Hot.