Masala Khichdi Recipe: Masala Khichdi is a flavorful and spicy twist to the traditional rice khichdi. In this dish, rice and two types of lentils are sautéed in ghee along with a blend of typical Indian curry spices before being pressure-cooked. This ultimate comfort food in Indian cuisine is not only delicious but also healthy. With a step-by-step photo guide, you can easily prepare it at home and enjoy it with curd, vegetable salad, and papad. Although you can also cook this recipe in a deep pan, using a pressure cooker is recommended for a quicker preparation.
Ingredients:
Masala Khichdi Recipe
- 1/2 cup Rice
- 2 tablespoons Moong Dal (split green grams)
- 2 tablespoons Toor Dal (split pigeon peas)
- 1 medium-sized Onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons Peanuts
- 2 cups Water
- 2 tablespoons Ghee
- 1/4 teaspoon Mustard Seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon Cumin Seeds
- 2 Cloves
- 1 Cinnamon stick, broken into 2 pieces
- 1 small piece of Bay Leaf
- 4 Black Peppercorns
- 1/2 Star Anise
- 1 Dry Red Chilli, broken into halves
- 1/2 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped Coriander Leaves
- Salt
Directions:
Masala Khichdi Recipe
Step 1: Soaking Lentils
- Wash rice, toor dal, and moong dal, then soak them together in water for 20 minutes. Drain and keep aside until needed.
Step 2: Tempering
- Heat 2 tablespoons of ghee in a steel/aluminum pressure cooker (3-4 liter capacity). Add mustard seeds and let them crackle. Add cumin seeds, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaf, black peppercorn, star anise, dry red chilli, and peanuts; sauté for a minute.
Step 3: Sautéing Onion
- Add chopped onion and sauté until the onion turns light brown, approximately 1-2 minutes.
Step 4: Adding Rice and Lentils
- Add drained rice, toor dal, moong dal, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, and salt. Sauté for 1 minute.
Step 5: Pressure Cooking
- Add 2 cups of water, mix well, and close the lid. Pressure cook for 3 whistles (1st whistle on high flame and remaining 2 whistles on medium flame).
Step 6: Releasing Pressure
- Turn off the flame and let steam pressure inside the pressure cooker come down naturally. Open the lid carefully, which will take approximately 6-8 minutes.
Step 7: Serving
- Transfer masala khichdi to a serving bowl and serve it with plain curd/yogurt or onion raita and papad.
Tips and Variations:
Masala Khichdi Recipe
- If making in small quantity and using a small pressure cooker (2-3 liter capacity), cook it over low flame.
- Add finely chopped potatoes and vegetables of your choice for variation.
- While this recipe uses ghee for its aromatic flavor, you can also prepare it by sautéing rice and lentils in butter or cooking oil.
Taste: Soft and spicy with a delightful aroma of spices and ghee
Serving Ideas: Serve masala khichdi with Punjabi kadhi or Gujarati kadhi, papad, and salad for a light and healthy dinner. It also tastes best on its own with pickle and plain curd.
Conclusion:
In summary, Masala Khichdi Recipe is a comforting, nutritious Indian staple that can be customized in many ways. It makes for a satisfying meal on its own or paired with raita, kadhi or papad.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Masala Khichdi Recipe
What is Masala Khichdi Recipe?
Masala Khichdi Recipe is a flavorful Indian rice dish made by sautéing rice, moong dal, and toor dal in ghee with aromatic spices. The mixture is then cooked together in a pressure cooker to make a hearty, spiced comfort food.
Can you make masala khichdi without a pressure cooker?
Yes, you can make masala khichdi without a pressure cooker by using a deep pot and cooking it longer. However, using a pressure cooker reduces the cooking time.
What types of lentils are used in Masala Khichdi Recipe?
Masala khichdi traditionally contains a combination of split green moong dal and split pigeon peas (toor dal). The two dals combined with rice make it nutritious and protein-rich.
Can you add vegetables to masala khichdi?
Definitely! Adding finely chopped vegetables like potatoes, peas, carrots or beans boosts the flavor and nutrition of the khichdi. Feel free to customize it with your choice of vegetables.
Is there a ghee substitute for making Masala Khichdi Recipe?
Ghee is traditionally used for its distinctive flavor, but can be substituted with butter or vegetable oil. The taste may vary slightly depending on the type of fat used.
