Instructions

Heat oil in the pressure cooker. Lower the flame. Add the red chili powder, asafoetida and salt.
Stir and fry for a few seconds. Add the chana dal. Stir and then add 1 cup water.
Cover the pressure cooker with its lid and pressure cook for 1 or 2 whistles or for about 6 minutes. Once the pressure settles down on its own, remove the lid.
The dal should be cooked and also should be separate.
You can also cook the dal for 1 whistle and then check. If not cooked than cook for 1 more whistle. Remember the dal should not be mushy.
making punjabi chana dal khichdi
Drain the rice and add the rice to the cooked dal.
There will be water in the cooker along with the cooked dal, so no need to add extra water.
Stir and again pressure cook for 1 or 2 whistles. The dal would cook further more along with the rice.
Once the pressure settles down on its own, remove the lid.
The specialty of this khichdi is the separate grains of rice and dal and it is not mushy nor pasty. If the rice is not cooked, then you can add about 1/8 to 1/4 cup water and pressure cook again for a whistle or two.
Serve the punjabi chana dal khichdi steaming hot with yogurt or raita.