Kadhi-Lapsi (कढ़ी-लापसी) is a unique combination. Kadhi is sour and spicy recipe while Lapsi is a dessert. When both are eaten together it gives a unique flavour which you only can enjoy by having this. It is a Traditional meal of Rajasthan state of India
Kadhi
It is a type of curry prepared by curd/lemon juice/dry mango powder and gram flour. Traditionally dairy curd is used but I prepare it with either vegan curd like peanut/soy curd or lemon juice. Pakoda(fritters) are also added in it to make it more delicious.
Lapsi
It is a dessert (broken wheat porridge) usually prepared in Rajasthan and other state of India on any auspicious occasion like marriage, house inauguration etc. It is prepared by broken wheat and jaggery/sugar.
Making of Kadhi
Ingredients required for 2 servings
- Gram flour 1/4 cup
- Curd 1/2 cup(here I used peanut curd) OR Lemon juice 2 Tbsp
- Green chillies 2 no
- Spices (turmeric powder-1/2 tsp, coriander powder- 1 tsp, cumin seeds- 1/2 tsp, mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp, Red chili powder 1/2 tsp, asafoetida a pinch, fenugreek seeds- 1/2 tsp)
- Oil 1 Tbsp
- Salt to taste
- Water 2 cups or as required
- Green coriander leaves for garnishing
For fritters which is added in Kadhi (It can be skipped if you want to make Kadhi plain)
- Gram flour 1/4 cup
- Spices (turmeric powder-1/2 tsp, whole coriander seeds- 1 tsp, red chili powder 1/2 tsp, carom seeds 1/4 tsp, cumin seeds 1/4 tsp, asafoetida a pinch)
- Salt to taste
- Vegetable oil for deep frying, I used peanut oil.
- Water to make thick batter
Procedure
Kadhi - Mix gram flour, curd OR lemon juice and water to make very thin batter. Heat oil in the pan add spices and saute for a while. Add batter and mix well. Bring it to a boil and simmer for at least half an hour on low flame. Simmering is a very important step in making Kadhi, it makes Kadhi delicious.
Pakoda (fritters) - Make thick batter with all ingredients and make fritters in hot oil. Follow standard procedure to make fritters.
Making of Lapsi
Ingredients required for 2 servings
- Broken wheat 1/2 cup
- Jaggery 1/2 cup OR Sugar 1/4 cup OR according to taste
- Dry fruits (cashew, almond, raisins) 1/4 cup
- Cardamom powder 1/2 tsp
- Grated coconut (Optional) 1/4 cup
- Oil for roasting broken wheat
- Salt to adjust the taste(optional)
- Water 2-3 cups or more as per requirement
Procedure
Roast broken wheat for 5 minutes on low to medium flame. Add cashew and almond in it while roasting. Dissolve jaggery/sugar in water and bring it to a boil. Add this jaggery solution to roasted broken wheat, mix well and bring it to a boil. Cook on low to medium flame for 1/2 an hour or until it cooked completely.
Add raisins and grated coconut at this stage, cover and keep aside for 15 minutes.
How to serve?
Serve hot both. Garnish Kadhi with fresh chopped coriander leaves and Lapsi with cashew/almond.
How to eat?
There are two ways to enjoy this meal. Eat both separately, it will give you a satisfaction of both dessert and sour and spicy taste. But I like to eat it by mixing both, it can be weird for some people to mix sweet and spicy together but I like this way. If you haven't tried it must try once.
Why it is affordable and healthy vegan food?
- Ingredients used are very common and available everywhere at very economical price.
- Ingredients used like broken wheat and gram flour are staple grain at most of the place in the world.
- Wheat and gram are a good source of protein and other nutrients. Jaggery provides a lot of energy and essential minerals.
- Spices and dry fruits used, have a lot of health benefits.
- To make it vegan dairy curd is replaced by plant based curd like peanut/soy curd OR lemon juice while animal fat(ghee) replaced by healthy vegetable oil like sesame or any other oil available locally.
