Samai rice in English it is called Little millet is high in fiber, high protein and is loaded with essential vitamins and minerals.

Today I made kichdi with tofu, Amaranth leaves/red keerai , moong daal. It is very easy to make. We have have this for lunch or dinner. This gluten-free food is very good for diet.

Preparation time approx 30 minutes .

Soaking time overnight or 8 hours.

Ingredients

3/4 cup little millet/ samai

1/4 cup moong daal

One cup chopped tightly packed amararth/red keerai

1/2 cup cubed firm tofu.( adjust the quantity as per your choice)

1/2 cup finely chopped onion.

3/4 cup chopped tomatoes.

2 tbsp chopped garlic

1 tbsp chopped ginger

1 bay leaf

2 cloves

1 star annise

1 small piece cinnamon

1 tbsp oil

1 tbsp ghee ( or only ghee)

1 tsp jeera

Turmeric powder

1/2 tsp sambar powder ( optional) or chilly powder

1 tsp kashmiri chilly powder

1/2 tsp kichdi masala or garam masala

3 red chillies

Few curry leaves.

4 cups Water

Method.

Wash millet and moong daal throughly . Soak the moong and samai in 2 cups of water. I soaked overnight.

Add 1 more cup of water to millet. Add little turmeric powder.

Pressure cook for 5 to 6 whistles.

Cut the firm tofu in a big size . Keep this in a cloth and take out extra water.

Heat a kadai. Add 1 tbsp oil. Heat this.

Add salt and turmeric powder and a pinch of chilly powder only for tofu. Mix it.

When the oil is hot fry this tofu till it becomes red in colour. Take out and keepaside.

Add 1 tbsp ghee to the same kadai. Add jeera, red chillies, curry leaves, cinnamon, bay leaf, cloves, star annise.

When it is fried add chopped ginger and garlic. Fry this for few seconds. Now add garlic. Let it fry for little time. Add chopped onions. Let it fry till it turns pink in colour.

Add chopped tomatoes. In medium heat fry the masalas. Add little salt only for this mixture. . Let the tomatoes become mushy. Add sambar powder/ red chilly powder, kashmiri chilly powder , turmeric powder, kichdi masala powder . Fry till the raw smell goes. Add balance 1 cup water and cook. Let it boil.

Open the pressure cooker and take out millet, moong mixture. Mash it slightly.

Add this to the gravy. Mix well. Check the salt. If needed add little more. Now added the fried tofu and mix well.

On low flame cook for 4 minutes.

Take out and serve. If you like add little more ghee. I have not added.