You start with the play as soon as you hear Khichdi is in the meal. Picture this: you are famished and waiting for a sizzling hot meal to grab, but the next moment, a hot bowl full of comfort like these khichdi recipes lands on your plate; sounds disappointing, right? Your eye rolls, wrinkled nose, subtly pushing the plate away, say it all! All you can imagine is a plate full of bland, mushy rice, right? However, if you keep the jokes apart, a bowl full of Khichdi always stands out to comfort us.
How about transforming this bland and not-so-favorite dish into an all-time favorite comfort food? All you need to do is infuse it with spices, vegetables, and millet. Species will tune in with flavors, veggies will play the keys of freshness and nutrition, and last but not least, millet will compose the track of a protein-rich meal. In this blog, we will explore 7 finger-licking and easy-to-make khichdi recipes that will not only satisfy your taste buds but also your appetite.
1. Pearl Millet Delight (Bajra Special)
2. Mustard Greens Comfort Bowl (Sarson Saag Khichdi)
3. Fenugreek One Pot Wonder (Methi Special)
4. Barley Bowl Cherished With Winter Greens
5. Millet & Pumpkin Infused Green Bowl
6. Gondhoraj Lemon Khichdi (Bengali Treat)
7. Spinach & Sprouted Moong Delight (Palak Khichdi)
1. Pearl Millet Delight (Bajra Special Khichdi Recipe)
Feel the warmth dipped in comfort with every bite!
It is a celebration of pearl millet and winter veggies that eventually immunize the digestion power. This combination of millet and seasonal veggies in a bowl is highly rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The coarse texture of bajra pairs well with the smoothness and creaminess of lentils and veggies.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup overnight soaked bajra
- ½ cup split moong dal
- 1 tbsp Ghee
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds
- 1 tbsp Ginger & Garlic Paste
- 1 Cup full of diced veggies (Carrot, peas, colored capsicums, sweet potato, corn)
- Salt, Turmeric, and Black Pepper to taste
Cooking Process:
- Wash Bajra thoroughly and soak it overnight. It reduces cooking time and provides great texture.
- Take a pressure cooker, heat it on low flame, add cumin seeds, and wait until they splutter.
- Add ginger garlic paste and saute it until it becomes aromatic.
- Add moong dal and diced vegetables, and stir well. Spice it up with turmeric powder, black pepper powder, and salt. Stir it well!
- Add 4 to 5 cups of water to the cooker and pressure cook it for 4 to 5 whistles.
- Top it with coriander and a dollop of ghee for an earthy finish. Serve sizzling hot with buttermilk and homemade garlic chutney.
Health Benefits:
- Controls Diabetes
- Heart friendly
- Manages Blood Sugar Levels
- Natural Detoxifier
- Keeps Body Warm
2. Mustard Greens Comfort Bowl (Sarson Saag Khichdi Recipe)
Punjabi twist to the traditional delight.
What can be better than a bowl filled with iconic flavors like mustard greens and seasonal vegetables? This bowl is rich in flavors and nutrition and is perfect for a soul-soothing winter special meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup finely chopped mustard greens
- ½ cup finely chopped spinach
- 1 tbsp ginger and garlic paste
- 2 green chillies (optional)
- ½ cup moong dal
- 1 cup rice
- 1 tbsp ghee
- Salt, black pepper, cardamom powder according to taste
Cooking Process:
- Wash dal and rice multiple times and soak them together for a bare minimum of 30 minutes.
- In a pan, add ghee and ginger-garlic paste and saute until the paste turns golden yellow. Add the chopped mustard greens and cook until they wilt.
- Add soaked rice and dal to the pan. Spice the mixture with salt, black pepper, and cardamom powder, and stir well.
- Put 3 cups water and pressure cook for 3-4 whistles.
- Serve it steaming hot with your favorite pickle and white butter.
Health Benefits:
- Natural Antiseptic heals wounds early.
- Supports Kidney Function
- Purify and Strengthen the blood.
- Reduces risk of chronic diseases
- Keeps body warm
3. Fenugreek One Pot Wonder (Methi Special Khichdi Recipe)
Hearty, flavourful twist of bitterness & sweetness.
This one-pot recipe deliciously and healthily celebrates the bitterness and sweetness of fenugreek. It offers fenugreek’s goodness in a comfortable and hearty bowl.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup finely chopped fresh fenugreek leaves
- 1 tsp ginger and garlic paste
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 clove
- ½ cup masoor dal
- 1 tbsp ghee
- 1 cup rice
- Salt, black pepper, turmeric, and coriander powder according to taste.
Cooking Process:
- Heat ghee in a pressure cooker, add cumin seeds and saute until they splutter and the aroma spreads in the air.
- Add the ginger and garlic paste and saute until golden. Then add the finely chopped fenugreek leaves and cook for about 3 to 3 minutes.
- Add washed dal and rice, 3 cups of water, salt, turmeric, black pepper, and coriander powder according to taste.
- Pressure cook for 3 whistles.
- Pour it steaming hot in the bowl with curd, pickle, and crispy papad.
Health Benefits:
- Improves the level of testosterone hormone.
- Dietary supplements for diabetes
- Supports in immunomodulation
- Provide relief from period cramps.
- Controls Blood Sugar Levels
4. Barley Bowl Cherished With Winter Greens Khichdi Recipe
Simply nutritious yet delicious hearty barley bowl.
Barley’s unique chewy texture complements the freshness of winter greens like spinach and kale. This wholesome meal is packed with nutrition.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup lentils (moong dal)
- 1 tbsp ginger and garlic paste
- Salt, black pepper, turmeric, coriander powder according to taste
- 1 cup barley
- 1 cup mixed greens (fenugreek and mustard)
Cooking Process:
- Soak barley overnight for easy and better cooking.
- Heat ghee in a pan, add ginger and garlic paste and saute until golden. Add greens and lentils, 3 cups of water, salt, black pepper, turmeric, coriander powder, according to the taste.
- Pressure cook for 3-4 whistles.
- Serve sizzling hot in a bowl; top it with coriander leaves, papad, and a dollop of ghee.
Health Benefits:
- Supports hair growth
- Good for heart health
- Good for breast milk production
- Anti-cancer
- Provides nutrition to the skin
- Rich in protein
5. Millet & Pumpkin Infused Green Bowl Khichdi Recipe
Unfavorable ingredient but an all-time favorite dish.
The texture of millet and tenderness of pumpkin chunks with the freshness of coriander play the harmony on the taste palettes. The subtle spiciness of green chilly and black pepper will give it an extraordinary kick.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup peeled and diced pumpkin cubes
- 1 cup soaked foxtail millet
- 1 cup spinach leaves
- ½ cup moong dal
- 1 medium size finely chopped onion
- 2 green chillies
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- ½ tbsp spoon garlic paste
- 1 sprig of curry leaves
- ½ tsp cumin seed
- 1 tbsp oil or ghee
- 2 cups vegetable broth or water
- ½ cup coconut milk
- Salt, turmeric, coriander, cardamom, and black pepper powder as per taste.
Cooking Process:
- Properly wash foxtail millet and moong dal. Soak them for about 20-30 minutes. Drain them and set them aside.
- Heat ghee in a pressure cooker. Add curry leaves, cumin seeds, and green chilies. Saute until they splutter and become aromatic.
- Add grated ginger, saute until golden, add chopped onion, and saute again until the onion turns translucent and pink.
- Stir in pumpkin cubes and spinach. Cook them for 2–3 minutes until they get soft.
- Add millet, moong dal, salt, turmeric, coriander, cardamom, and black pepper powder. Mix them well.
- Add 2 cups vegetable broth or water. Pressure cook for 2–3 whistles.
- Add coconut milk and stir gently. Simmer for another 2–3 minutes.
- Serve sizzling hot with a dollop of ghee or butter, pickle, cucumber-onion salad, or papad.
Health Benefits:
- Prevents from constipation
- Controls cholesterol levels
- Fights from oxidative stress
- Ideal for diabetics
- Controls blood sugar levels
6. Gondhoraj Lemon Khichdi Recipe(Bengali Treat)
Zesty aromatic bowl to celebrate winter evenings.
This delicious Khichdi is infused with sensational flavors. Tangy lemon notes, blended with mushy rice and lentils coated in the subtle bitterness of mustard, excite the taste palette.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup aromatic short-grain rice
- 1 tsp ginger paste
- 2 green chillies (optional)
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- ½ cup moong dal
- 2 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1 Gondhoraj lime (any lime)
- 1 finely sliced large onion
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 sprig of curry leaves
- 2 tbsp mustard oil
- Salt, turmeric powder, coriander, and black pepper powder are used according to taste.
Cooking Process:
- Properly wash rice and moong dal. Soak them for approx 20 minutes.
- Heat mustard oil in a heavy-bottomed pan.
- Add cumin seeds and bay leaf. Saute until aromatic.
- Add ginger paste and cook until golden and fragrant.
- Add sliced onions and cook until they get soft and pink.
- Add the soaked rice and dal. Stir well.
- Add salt, turmeric powder, coriander, black pepper powder, and green chilies. Pour in water and bring it to a boil.
- Cook on low heat until the rice and dal get soft and creamy. Stir occasionally.
- Serve steaming hot, and squeeze fresh lime juice over it.
- Garnish with lime zest and enjoy with fried egg and vegetable fritters.
Health Benefits:
- Cleanse the liver & improve digestion
- Comforts stomach
- Aroma reduces stress
- Enhances immunity & skin health.
- Aids energy levels
7. Spinach & Sprouted Moong Delight (Palak Khichdi Recipe)
Spinach bowl loaded with protein and lip-smacking flavors.
In this bowl, you will get to experience the nutritious goodness of fresh spinach and a protein-rich sprouted moong dala twist of garlic and spices.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup soaked brown rice
- ½ cup sprouted moong
- 1 cup finely chopped spinach leaves
- 1 chopped medium size tomato
- 2 cups vegetable stock or water
- 1 tbsp ghee or oil
- Salt to taste, turmeric powder, black pepper, cardamom, coriander powder according to taste.
- 1 chopped small size onion
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp
- ½ tsp
- 2 green chillies (optional)
Cooking Process:
- Properly wash brown rice and soak for approx 30 minutes.
- Heat ghee in a pressure cooker.
- Add cumin seeds and minced garlic. Saute until golden and aromatic.
- Stir in onions, tomatoes, and green chilies. Cook until the onions get pink and the tomatoes turn mushy.
- Add the chopped spinach, saute, and cook until wilted.
- Add sprouted moong, brown rice, turmeric powder, black pepper, cardamom, and coriander powder. Stir well.
- Add water or vegetable stock. Pressure cook for approx 2–3 whistles. Allow the pressure to release naturally.
- Top it with fresh coriander, and serve with plain yogurt, crispy papad, and a squeeze of lime.
Health Benefits:
- Boosts hemoglobin levels
- Helps in combating anemia
- Rich in plant-based protein: Supports muscle health
- Boosts digestion
- Reduces calories
- Boosts immune health
Conclusion:
Do you still feel that khichdis are boring? Try the above winter khichdi recipe and see the difference! You can transform ordinary Khichdi into evergreen favorites using seasonal veggies, protein-rich millets, and aromatic whole spices. Sharing flavors is a foodie’s love language. Don’t forget to drop your reviews in the comment section!
ALSO READ: Winter Smoothie Recipe
