Mix rice and dal, wash well for a few times and soak in water at least 1/2 an hour. Put them in the cooker along with water. The water should be about 2 inches above the surface of rice-dal mixture. Add salt and turmeric powder.

Let it boil uncovered on low heat till the rice grains are almost cooked. They should look puffed as shown in the picture. Most of the water will be absorbed by this time (You may have to add some more water at this point if required and if you like khichdi softer). Ensure that there is some water to cook for 5 more minutes after closing the lid. Add a tbsp ghee and cover the lid. Let it cook for 3-5 mins on very low heat. Remove the cooker from heat and let it cool.

Method 2: you can also cook it in a pot transfered to pressure cooker. This way the moisture in the khichdi remains intact and it feels soft and sweet. This is a quicker way to cook khichdi because you do not have to boil it at all. Just put the washed rice dal in a pot with 2 inches water (1 : 3 1/2 bowl). Place it in a pressure cooker and cook for 20 min on medium heat.