Pundi Gatti (Karnataka based)

Ingredients :

-1 cup Idli Rava
-grated coconut (1/4 coconut)
 -3-4 red chillies
-mustard seeds
- split dal
- urad dal
-curry leaves
-vegetable oil
-salt

Take a pan,heat the oil and add mustard seeds,urad dal,split dal,curry leaves,red chillies,salt and fry it for few minutes.Add 2 cups of water and let it boil.Now add idli rava and keep stirring well until it gets to upma consistency.Let it cool before adding grated cocunut.Mix it well , make balls and steam it in Idli maker/cooker for 10 minutes.Fluffy and superb Pundi Gatti is ready.You can serve it with any spicy chutney as required.

Millet Khichdi

There are varieties of millet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millet) that are available.I am using foxtail millet (common names) for this khichdi.

Ingredients :

-1 cup millet
-1/2 cup split yellow moong dal (paasi parauppu in tamil)
-1 medium onion
-1 medium tomato
-1/2 spoon Ginger garlic paste
-2 Green Chilli
-Vegetables - beans,carrot and others as desire.
-mustard seeds,hing,cumin seeds,turmeric powder,curry leaves,vegetable oil,salt,ghee

Soak this particular variety of millet for couple of hours along with moong dal in water.Take a pan,heat the oil and add mustard seeds,hing,cumin seeds,curry leaves,green chillies,ginger garlic paste,onion, tomato and fry it for few minutes.Add the vegetables,turmeric powder,salt and saute for 3-4 minutes.Now add the millet- dal soaked in water to this.Add water (4 cups) and close the pan and let it cook 10 minutes.Khichdi should be ready.Add some ghee before you serve.

Alternatively, you may use pressure cooker also.Pressure cook for 2 whistles and then let it to simmer for couple of minutes.For better taste use desi ghee instead of vegetable oil.Goes well with plain yogurt and pickles.