Khichdi, a quintessential dish in Indian cuisine, is a comforting one-pot meal that embodies simplicity, wholesomeness, and versatility. Prepared with rice, lentils, and a medley of spices, this humble dish has been a staple in Indian households for generations, enjoyed for its ease of preparation, nutritional value, and comforting flavors. Whether served as a main course, a side dish, or even as a nutritious meal for the elderly and children, khichdi's appeal transcends age and culinary boundaries. Let's dive into the world of khichdi and explore the myriad ways in which this simple dish can be transformed into a flavorful and satisfying culinary experience.
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KHICHDI
Rice and lentils team up to make a super-easy Indian dish (also called kitchari) that is reminiscent of porridge, but with plenty of lively flavor from the ginger, cumin and jalapeno. Fresh cilantro stirred in at the end adds nice flecks of bright green.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 1h
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Soak the lentils and rice together in water in a medium bowl for 30 minutes; drain and rinse well.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and stir until they just start to fizzle, about 1 minute. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the turmeric, tomato, jalapeno and ginger. Cook, stirring, until the tomato softens, about 1 minute. Add the lentils, rice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 3 cups water. Bring to a boil, lower to a simmer, cover and cook until the rice is tender and the lentils have broken down completely, about 15 minutes. Stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter and season with salt. Stir in the cilantro.
INSTANT POT® KHICHDI
Two types of legumes, brown basmati rice, and goda masala are cooked in an Instant Pot® for a traditionally flavored Indian classic. Goda masala is a coconut-based seasoning, which gives this dish a fragrant and tasty edge. Khichdi is easy to digest, so it is nice for detox or when you want something light. Leftovers warm up nicely with a touch of water. This is a simple recipe; some cooks like to add vegetables to the saute.
Provided by Buckwheat Queen
Categories 100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes Vegetarian Side Dishes
Time 1h35m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Rinse rice and mung beans. Cover with water and soak for 15 minutes. Rinse split yellow dal and add to the rice and mung beans to soak for 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and select Saute function. Saute cumin and mustard seeds in 2 tablespoons ghee until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add shallot and ginger and cook until shallot is tender and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the drained rice and legumes; stir to combine. Turn off Saute function.
- Stir in goda masala, turmeric, pepper, and salt. Add water; stir well. Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure and set timer for 18 minutes according to manufacturer's instructions. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
- Allow pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes. Manually release any remaining pressure, 5 to 10 minutes more. Stir khichdi and divide between 6 bowls. Top each with 1 tablespoon of remaining ghee.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 351.4 calories, Carbohydrate 40.2 g, Cholesterol 43.7 mg, Fat 18.6 g, Fiber 4.6 g, Protein 9.1 g, SaturatedFat 10.7 g, Sodium 206.2 mg, Sugar 2.5 g
INSTANT POT KHICHDI
Khichdi is a comforting and mild South Asian stew typically made with lentils and rice. This version is made with long-grain rice and yellow moong dal (or split mung beans), softened tomatoes and onion, then flavored with a cumin, coriander and turmeric, but each family has their own recipe. To bulk it up, you could add some grated carrot or zucchini with the onion, or wilt baby spinach in at the end. But topped with a drizzle of ghee, some plain yogurt and fresh cilantro, it's a warming, homey meal just as it is.
Provided by Samantha Seneviratne
Categories grains and rice, soups and stews, main course
Time 45m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a medium bowl, combine the dal and rice. Add water until covered.
- Set the electric pressure cooker to sauté and melt 2 tablespoons ghee. Add the onion, ginger, cumin, coriander and turmeric to the pressure cooker and cook, stirring often, until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Season with 2 teaspoons salt.
- Drain the dal mixture and add it to the pressure cooker. Add 4 cups water, cover, and set the electric pressure cooker for 15 minutes on low pressure. It will take a couple of minutes for it to come to pressure.
- When the time is up, immediately release the pressure. Carefully open the lid and season to taste with salt.
- Divide among bowls. Drizzle with ghee, then top with yogurt and cilantro to serve.
SABUDANA KHICHDI (MAHARASHTRIAN TAPIOCA PILAF)
Sabudana khichdi, which loosely translates to "tapioca mixture," is a delightfully chewy Maharashtrian pilaf studded with the crunch of toasted peanuts, creamy bits of potato, and the occasional cumin seed. A hit of sweetness is balanced with salt, lemon and the alternating flames of ginger and green chile, and then everything is showered with a generous amount of chopped cilantro. The result is seductive in both texture and flavor. The key to this simple dish is to thoroughly soak the sabudana, or medium-sized tapioca pearls, until you can easily smash one between your thumb and forefinger. Then, use a microwave to cook the sabudana, stopping to check for doneness in 15-second increments. As soon as the pearls are translucent and chewy, they're done.
Provided by Samin Nosrat
Categories dinner, lunch, vegetables, main course, side dish
Time 5h45m
Yield 4 servings as a side or 1 to 2 as a main
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Place tapioca in a large bowl and cover with water. Swirl to release starch, then drain. Repeat a few times until water runs mostly clear, then drain well. Return tapioca to bowl, along with 3/4 cup water. Soak for 4 to 5 hours, or until water is mostly absorbed and tapioca pearls are easily squashed when pressed between your thumb and forefinger. Drain well, and place into a large microwave-safe bowl.
- Place whole potatoes in a small pot and cover with water. Season generously with salt and set over high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until completely tender, about 25 to 35 minutes, depending on size. Remove potatoes from water, allow to cool, then peel, and dice into 1/2-inch cubes. Add to tapioca.
- Set a frying pan over medium heat and add peanuts. Swirling constantly, toast them until shiny, aromatic and golden brown, about 4 minutes. Pour immediately onto a plate to prevent overcooking. Wipe pan, and return to stove.
- In a food processor, pulse chiles and ginger together until finely minced, stopping to scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula once or twice. (If you don't have a food processor, you can do this step by hand.) Remove 1 tablespoon chile-ginger mixture, and set aside. Add cooled peanuts to food processor, and continue to pulse just long enough to roughly chop nuts. Scrape peanut-chile mixture into tapioca-potato mixture.
- Heat frying pan over a medium flame and add oil. When oil shimmers, add cumin. When cumin begins to sizzle, stir in reserved chile-ginger mixture, and allow to sizzle but not brown, then immediately pour into tapioca mixture. Add 1 teaspoon sugar, toss and season with salt to taste.
- Microwave tapioca mixture on high for 2 minutes, then stir. Continue cooking for another 2 minutes, then stir again. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes in 15-second increments, until tapioca is translucent and chewy, but not quite transparent and clumpy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, sugar and lemon juice. Garnish with cilantro, and serve hot.
VERY TASTY YELLOW MOONG DAL (YELLOW LENTILS) AND RICE KHICHDI
This is one of my MOST FAVOURITE dishes. Khichdi=Rice and Lentil mixture. This is what I have been eating since y'day(this is given when one has loose motions). Also, this makes very good food for the pigeons and crows! Try feeding it to them(minus the yogurt), i.e., just the plain khichdi after allowing it to cool down, O my, they'll bless you. I have just shared mine with them and you have to come here to my place to watch how happily the crows and pigoens have feasted on this:) In India, this recipe is made every year on the eighth day of the festival of Durga Ashtami. We make it here in Oman as well, in our home, every year for Ashtami and serve it with traditional Potato curry and yogurt, mmmmmmmm:) Little children love this recipe and most mom's often feed this to their children to ensure they have a good balance of proteins(which comes from the yellow lentils) and carbohydrates(which comes from the rice). I really love this recipe:)
Provided by Charishma_Ramchanda
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 50m
Yield 16 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Heat oil in a skillet.
- Add cumin seeds.
- Allow to splutter.
- Fold in yellow lentils and rice.
- Stir in salt and water.
- Bring to a boil.
- Lower flame, partially cover and cook till the water has evaporated and rice is cooked.
- Serve hot.
- This can be served all by itself, though, the actual combination is this khichdi with plain yogurt.
KHICHDI
Khichdi is a lovely comfort food often served for breakfast, but I find it makes a wonderful side dish with a curry or salad, or a light main dish. I have eaten khichdis prepared by Indian friends that were like porridge, with the mung beans and rice indistinguishable because it was cooked until almost smooth. My husband prefers it more like a pilaf, with mung beans speckled among seasoned grains of rice. Serve hot with butter, ghee, or chopped cilantro.
Provided by Idena Suzanne
Categories Main Dish Recipes Rice Beans and Rice Recipes
Time 5h20m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Soak mung beans in water for at least 4 hours. Soak basmati rice for at least 10 minutes. Drain and rinse mung beans and rice, separately, until water runs clear.
- Place mung beans in a large pot. Cover with 8 cups water; bring to a gentle boil. Cook for 10 minutes. Add rice, salt, fenugreek, pepper, turmeric, and asafoetida powder. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer gently until water is absorbed, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat; keep covered and let stand for up to 30 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 349.5 calories, Carbohydrate 68.8 g, Fat 1.6 g, Fiber 10.3 g, Protein 17 g, SaturatedFat 0.3 g, Sodium 1197.9 mg, Sugar 0.1 g
Tips:
- Choose the right rice and lentils: For a classic khichdi, use basmati rice and split yellow lentils (toor dal). However, you can also use other types of rice and lentils, such as brown rice, red lentils, or black lentils.
- Soak the rice and lentils: Soaking the rice and lentils for at least 30 minutes will help them cook more evenly. You can also soak them overnight for a quicker cooking time.
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot: A heavy-bottomed pot will help to distribute the heat evenly and prevent the khichdi from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Add vegetables and spices: Vegetables such as carrots, peas, and potatoes are commonly added to khichdi. You can also add spices such as cumin, coriander, and turmeric to enhance the flavor.
- Cook the khichdi until it is tender: The khichdi is cooked when the rice and lentils are tender and the vegetables are cooked through. This usually takes about 20-30 minutes.
- Serve the khichdi hot: Khichdi is best served hot with a dollop of yogurt, chutney, or pickle.
Conclusion:
Khichdi is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a good source of protein, carbohydrates, and fiber, and it is also easy to digest. With so many different variations, there is sure to be a khichdi recipe that everyone will enjoy.
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