Start your day with these quick Indian khichdi variations
What's the story
Khichdi, the ultimate Indian comfort food, is a simple and satisfying dish.
It's a versatile blend of rice and lentils, with endless variations to cater to your taste buds.
Perfect for those rushed mornings, khichdi is a quick-fix solution that doesn't compromise on nutrition.
This article delves into some quick and easy khichdi variations that are perfect for keeping you warm in the morning.
Basic recipe
Classic moong dal khichdi
The classic moong dal khichdi is a simple and comforting dish.
It uses basic ingredients: rice, moong dal (split yellow lentils), salt, turmeric powder, and water.
Preparation is easy: rinse the rice and lentils, then cook them with salt and turmeric in a pressure cooker or pot until soft.
This basic recipe is a canvas for many variations, and it takes only around 30 minutes to prepare.
Veggie Twist
Vegetable-loaded khichdi
To make your breakfast healthier, try adding vegetables to your khichdi.
Carrots, peas, beans, and cauliflower are excellent choices that not only add flavor but also boost the dish's nutritional content.
Just finely chop the veggies and throw them into the pot with the rice and lentils.
This version adds extra fiber to your meal and can still be ready in under 35 minutes.
Tomato spice
Spicy tomato khichdi
If you like your breakfast with a kick, spicy tomato khichdi is the way to go.
Just saute onions, tomatoes, green chilies, ginger-garlic paste, and spices like cumin seeds (jeera), mustard seeds (rai), turmeric powder (haldi), red chili powder (lal mirch), and coriander powder (dhania) before adding them to the rice-lentil mix.
This variation not only adds a flavorful punch but also includes the beneficial antioxidants present in tomatoes.
Quinoa variation
Quinoa khichdi twist
Quinoa khichdi provides a gluten-free twist on classic rice khichdi, and it comes with the bonus of extra protein.
Simply substitute half or all of the rice with quinoa. Be mindful of the cooking time though, quinoa cooks more quickly than most rice varieties.
You may also need to tweak the water ratio a bit, as quinoa doesn't need as much water as rice for cooking.
Cooking tips
Tips for perfect khichdi every time
The key to a tasty khichdi lies in nailing the perfect consistency - it shouldn't be too dry or too pasty.
Pressure cooker is your friend here. It saves time and guarantees softness.
But if you are a fan of pot-cooking, just make sure to use ample water (depending on whether you want it thick or soupy).