Asma Khan served up a tasty Khichree with Aubergine and Garlic Raita on James Martin’s Saturday Morning.

The ingredients for the spiced aubergine are: 4 medium aubergines (eggplants), thinly sliced into discs, 1 tsp ground turmeric, 1⁄2 tsp chilli powder, 1 tsp salt and Oil, for frying.

For the garlic raita: 500 g full-fat Turkish or Greek yoghurt 6 garlic cloves, crushed, 1⁄2 tsp chilli powder, 1 tsp salt and 1⁄4 tsp brown sugar.

For the tempering: 10 fresh curry leaves and 3 dried red chillis, broken in half.

For the Spiced Rice and Lentils: 300 g basmati or long-grain rice, 150 g masoor dal (red lentils), 100 ml melted butter or ghee, or vegetable oil 1⁄2 tsp cumin seeds, 6 whole black peppercorns, 1 Indian bay leaf, 1 green cardamom pod, 2 cloves, 1 piece cassia bark, 2.5 cm long, 1 piece fresh ginger, 2.5 cm long, 2 tsp salt, 750 ml cups warm water, 2 green chillis and Dollops of salted butter (optional, but highly recommended).

See recipes by Asma Khan in her book titled: Ammu – TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022 Indian Homecooking to Nourish Your Soul available from Amazon now.