Methods

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large bowl combine the dried rice and lentils. Rinse the mixture well with water at least three times until the water runs nearly clear and then drain.
2. In a cast iron pan or shallow dutch oven, heat the ghee over low heat. When hot, add the mustard seeds. When the seeds begin to crackle, add in the finely chopped ginger, cloves, turmeric, whole dried chillies, pepper and the cinnamon sticks. This cooked ghee and spice mixture is known as a tadka, a central part of Indian cooking with spices. The hot fat helps the flavors of the spices to "bloom" if you will. 
3. Add the rice, dal, and about 2-2.5 cups water to the pot. Add salt to taste. Stir to combine and then increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a rapid boil. Allow to boil for one minute.
4. Then cover tightly with an oven-proof lid (or baking sheet if you don't have one!) and place the pot in the preheated oven. Cook for 20 minutes and then turn off oven but do not open the door. Let the pot sit in the closed oven for another 15-20 minutes until the rice is fully cooked, the lentils are soft, and there is no water left.
5. Eat the khichdi with a big scoop of thick, full fat yogurt, and some home-style okra or pickles of your choice (but we highly recommend the Brooklyn Delhi garlic achaar)