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A unique and aromatic one-pot meal where rice and moong dal are roasted to a golden-brown perfection, lending a wonderfully nutty flavor. This comforting dish is a staple in Sindhi households, perfect for a wholesome lunch or dinner.
Preparation: Wash the basmati rice and moong dal together under running water 3-4 times until the water runs clear. Drain all the water completely using a sieve. Set aside. There is no need to soak for this recipe.
Roast the Dal and Rice: Heat a pressure cooker on medium-low heat. Add the drained rice and dal mixture. Dry roast, stirring continuously, for about 6-8 minutes. The grains will become aromatic, change to a light golden-brown color, and feel completely dry. This step is crucial for the nutty flavor. Once roasted, transfer the mixture to a plate and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables: In the same pressure cooker, heat the ghee over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and let them splutter for 30 seconds. Add the hing, followed by the chopped onion. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onions turn soft and translucent. Add the grated ginger and slit green chilies, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Cook Vegetables and Spices: Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes until they soften. Now, add the cubed potatoes and green peas. Stir in the turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt. Mix everything well and cook the masala for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Combine and Pressure Cook: Return the roasted rice and dal mixture to the cooker. Gently stir for a minute to coat the grains with the masala. Pour in 6 cups of water and give it a final, good mix. Check for salt and adjust if necessary.
Pressure Cook and Rest: Secure the lid of the pressure cooker. Cook on medium-high heat for 4-5 whistles (approximately 12-15 minutes). After the last whistle, turn off the heat and allow the pressure to release naturally. This takes about 10-15 minutes and is important for perfectly cooked grains.
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A unique and aromatic one-pot meal where rice and moong dal are roasted to a golden-brown perfection, lending a wonderfully nutty flavor. This comforting dish is a staple in Sindhi households, perfect for a wholesome lunch or dinner.
This indian recipe takes 45 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 509.16 calories per serving with 18.51g of protein, it's a beginner-friendly recipe perfect for lunch or dinner.
Garnish and Serve: Once the pressure has settled completely, open the lid. Gently fluff the khichdi with a fork to separate the grains. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves. Serve hot with a dollop of ghee, plain yogurt (curd), roasted papad, and your favorite pickle.
Feel free to add other vegetables like chopped carrots, french beans, or cauliflower along with the potatoes and peas.
You can make this khichdi with a mix of dals, such as half moong dal and half masoor dal (red lentils), for a different texture.
For a Sattvic or Jain version, you can skip the onions and ginger. The dish will still be flavorful due to the roasted dal and spices.
If you don't have a pressure cooker, you can cook it in a heavy-bottomed pot with a lid. It will take longer, about 35-40 minutes, and you may need to add more hot water as it cooks.
The combination of rice (a cereal) and moong dal (a lentil) provides all the essential amino acids, making it a complete protein source, which is especially beneficial for vegetarian diets.
Khichdi is renowned as a comfort food because it's light on the stomach. The use of spices like ginger and hing aids digestion, making it an excellent meal for gut health.
With moong dal and vegetables like peas and potatoes, this dish is a good source of dietary fiber, which helps in maintaining bowel health, lowering cholesterol levels, and controlling blood sugar.
The complex carbohydrates from rice and lentils provide a steady and sustained release of energy, keeping you full and energetic for a longer period.
The defining characteristic of Sindhi Khichdi is the dry roasting of the rice and moong dal before cooking. This process imparts a unique, nutty aroma and a beautiful golden color, resulting in a semi-dry texture where the grains are more separate, unlike the more common porridge-like consistency of other khichdis.
Yes, Sindhi Khichdi is a very healthy and balanced meal. The combination of lentils and rice provides a complete protein profile. It's rich in dietary fiber from the dal and vegetables, and it's considered easy to digest, making it a wholesome comfort food.
One serving of Sindhi Khichdi (approximately 1.5 cups or 615g) contains around 450-500 calories. This is an estimate and can vary based on the amount of ghee and specific ingredients used.
Absolutely. You can cook it in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot with a tight-fitting lid. Follow all steps until adding water. Then, bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 30-35 minutes, or until the grains are cooked and the water is absorbed. You might need to check and stir once or twice to prevent sticking.
Sindhi Khichdi is traditionally served with plain yogurt (curd), crispy roasted papad, a mixed vegetable pickle (achar), and an extra dollop of ghee on top. A simple side salad also pairs well with it.
Yes, you can use brown rice for a healthier version. However, brown rice takes longer to cook. You will need to increase the water quantity to about 7-8 cups and pressure cook for 8-9 whistles or about 25-30 minutes.