As the name suggests, rice and moong dal are the main ingredients in dal khichdi recipe , a tasty and simple Indian dish. Serve this nutritious, soothing, and filling porridge-like Dal Khichdi with curd, raita, or papad for a light, stomach-friendly meal. Not only is it really simple to cook, but it also has a comfort food vibe. It fills your heart and stomach with joy. All those who are new to Indian cooking may make this dish straight away because it is very simple. It is also a food that is provided to you when you have an upset stomach or are feeling a little under the weather because it is gentle on the stomach.
| Recipe Name | Dal Khichdi |
| Place of Origin | North India |
| Total Time Taken | 40 minutes |
| Preparation Time | 10 minutes |
Dal Khichdi Recipe Ingredients
Following are the ingredients required for the dal khichdi recipe:
For Soaking Lentils and Rice
- ½ cup moong dal (split and husked mung lentils)
- ½ cup rice – you can add any rice, regular short or medium grained rice or even basmati
- Water – as required
Other Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Ghee or oil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 small to medium-sized onion, chopped
- 1 medium-sized tomato, chopped
- ½ tsp chopped green chillies
- 1 tsp finely chopped ginger or grated
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 pinch asafoetida (hing)
- 3.5 cups water
- Salt as required
Method to Prepare Dal Khichdi Recipe
You can follow the below mentioned steps to prepare dal khichdi:
1. Rice and Lentils Soaked
Step 1: Wash and rinse rice and moong lentils together. Rice and lentils should both be soaked in water for 30 minutes. Drain all the water and set it aside after 30 minutes.
2. Frying Tomatoes, Onions, and Spices
Step 2: In a pressure cooker, warm some ghee or oil. the seeds of cumin. Add onions once the cumin starts to sputter.
Step 3: Translucent onions should be sautéed. No need to cook onions until they are golden or light brown. When the onions are transparent, add the tomatoes, ginger, and green chilli.
Step 4: Add asafoetida and turmeric powder to the mixture. Remix, then cook the tomatoes in the skillet until they soften. The pressure cooker should now contain the rice and moong lentils.
Step 5: Sauté and stir for one minute. Salt the water and then add. Be sure to thoroughly combine. The water should have a mildly salty flavour, so check it out.
3. Preparing Khichdi
Step 6: A high heat and a close lid are required to pressure cook food for 7 to 8 whistles or 8 to 9 minutes.
Step 7:Turn off the heat and wait. Allow the cooker’s pressure to naturally decrease. Remove the cover and evaluate the consistency once there is no longer any pressure in the cooker. Add some hot water and stir thoroughly if it appears to be too thick.
Step 8: Keep simmering on low heat for a few minutes until you achieve the desired consistency.
Step 9: You can change the consistency to your liking by adding more or less water. Both thick and thin consistency are preferred by different people.
Step 10: Pour one to two teaspoons of ghee over the food while it is being served. [optional ]. Moong dal khichdi should be served hot or warm with curd (yoghurt) and a side salad.
Dal Khichdi Cooked in a Pan
Follow these steps to prepare dal khichdi in a pan:
Step 1: Follow all the instructions for the pressure cooker version of khichdi in a pan up until you add the rice and lentils.
Step 2: Give everything a good toss and cook the rice and lentils for one minute after adding them. Add 4 to 4.5 cups of water, then salt the mixture. When the lentils are soft and mushy, cover the pan and continue to cook them on a medium-low to medium burner.
Step 3: Keep an eye on the lentils while they cook, and if the water has dried up because they are undercooked, add some hot water and stir well. Cover the pan and keep cooking.
Step 4: After the khichri has been prepared, examine the consistency. Add some boiling water if it’s thick, then simmer for a couple of minutes. Continue to cook for a few more minutes to achieve a thin consistency.
Tips to Enhance the Taste of Dal Khichdi Recipe
These are some tips that you can follow to enhance the taste of your dal khichdi:
- To cook rice and dal even more quickly, soak them both for 30 minutes.
- It takes less time to cook when using a pressure cooker. Rice cookers and quick pots are further options.
- The same recipe works with various lentils, such as orange lentils and pigeon peas.
- Vegetables like potatoes, cauliflower, beans, etc. can be added. When cooking the dal and rice, add any additional vegetables, in chopped form.
- Substitute oil for ghee for a vegan recipe.
- Khichdi with ghee tempering is considered a complete meal. It is ideal for dinner because it is light and easy on the stomach.
Serving Ideas
Curd (yoghurt), Papad (roasted or fried), Pickle, and Ghee-a teaspoon or two drizzled on top of the khichdi-are the sides that go excellent together and make khichdi a fulfilling complete meal. It can also be eaten with any kind of raita or salad. When served with your choice of vegetable fries or a vegetable salad and sprinkled with some lemon juice.
Nutritional Content in Dal Khichdi Recipe
The nutritional content in dal khichdi is as follows:
| Calories | 482 kcal |
| Fats | 14g |
| Carbs | 73g |
| Protein | 17g |
Conclusion
This was just one method to prepare dal khichdi. You can definitely make some changes to the same and experiment according to your taste. It is a healthy food option that you can rely on to get essential nutrients.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dal Khichdi Recipe
Q. Does khichdi actually relieve stomach pain?
When your stomach is upset, it is preferable to eat khichdi to obtain your daily dose of protein and nutrients without further upsetting your system because moong beans are healthful and simple to digest.
Q. Is khichdi a healthy food?
Yes, in India, khichdi is frequently provided to those who are unwell or recovering from illness, particularly young children and the elderly. Patients are advised to do it even by doctors!
Will khichdi aid in my weight loss?
Moong dal is traditionally used to make khichdi, which is a fantastic source of protein. You get some carbs from the rice. Therefore, increasing your physical activity can help even though it may not be a "weight reduction recipe".
Q. Can I give my infant or little child khichdi?
Absolutely! Its porridge-like consistency can assist children and even young babies who are having trouble digesting particular foods. It is vital to keep in mind that you should omit excessive salt, chillies, and all other spices and herbs when making dal khichdi for infants.
Q. How is this a recipe for detox?
Moong lentils are said by Ayurveda to balance all three doshas (kapha, pitta & vata). As part of a detox diet, a simple, plain mung dal khichdi without any seasoning or spices is consumed.
Q. Can dal khichdi help with digestion?
Additionally, eating moong dal helps the body produce butyrate, a fatty acid that supports the health of the intestinal walls and helps promote digestive health.
Q. Which dal khichdi is healthy for you?
Any dal can be added to khichdi to make it a nutritious meal. You can include any of the dals—toor, moong, or chana—because they are all nutritious and wholesome. Protein, iron, calcium, potassium, and fat are just a few components abundant in lentils in general.
Q. Does khichdi help with diabetes?
If khichdi is prepared with more fibrous grains than white rice, it is regarded as a nice and healthful food for diabetics. Due to its high fibre content from millets and protein content from lentils, bajra khichdi might be a healthy supplement to a diabetic's diet.
