Sakannam (Dussera Prasad)

Sakannam is nothing but Vegetable Rice prepared using homemade spice powder. It has no onion and no garlic, since we offer it as prasad during the Dussera Navratri season. 

Ingredients:

• Rice- 2 cups
• Water- 4 1/2 cups
• Carrot- 2, peeled and cut into 2 inch peices
• Potato- 1 big, peeled and cut into 2 inch pieces
• Beans- 4-6 cut into 2 inch pieces
• Ginger- 3 inch piece, crushed
• Salt- 2 tsp
• Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
• Coriander leaves- as small handful, roughly chopped

For Tempering:

• Oil- 3-5 tbsp
• Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
• Cumin seeds- 1/2 tsp (Jeera)
• Cashews- 8-10
• Green chilies- 3-4 slit vertically

For Spice powder:

• Chana dal- 1 1/2 tbsp
• Urad dal- 1 tbsp
• Cumin seeds- 1 tsp
• Coriander seeds- 1 tbsp
• Cloves- 4
• Cinnamon- 1 inch stick
• Dry coconut- 2 inch piece
• Dry red chilies- 2 broken into pieces

(Dry roast the above ingredients and grind to powder.)

Method:

1. Wash and cook the rice in a cooker for 3-4 whistles. The normal ratio of rice is water is 1:2, but it can be adjusted as per choice.
2. Meanwhile dry roast the spice powder ingredients and let them cool. Now grind into powder.  
3. Heat oil in a heavy bottom pan and add mustard seeds, cumin seeds. As the mustard splatters add cashews and roast till golden.
4. Now add the green chilies. 
5. Stir once and add the vegetables. Add 1/2 cup water and cover with lid to cook the vegetables faster. 
6. After 3 minutes add the crushed ginger and mix again.
7. As the vegetables soften add the spice powder, salt, turmeric powder and mix well.
8. After 2-3 minutes add the cooked rice and mix properly.
9. Sprinkle some water if required. Let it cook for 5-7 minutes in simmer.
10. Add the chopped coriander leaves and turn off the heat. 
11. Cover with lid and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. 
12. Serve hot with onion free raita. 

Notes:

1. I used the vegetables I had available. 
2. You can add, green peas, cauliflower, eggplant, cabbage, etc as well if you prefer.
3. Unless you like the rice red, try not to add beetroot.