How to Make Kichdi: A Simple and Nutritious Indian Dish

If you want a hearty and comforting meal that is easy to make, look no further than kichdi. This traditional Indian dish is a combination of rice, lentils, and spices, and it’s perfect for a quick and nutritious meal. Whether you are looking for a healthy breakfast or a comforting dinner, kichdi is a great option that is sure to satisfy your taste buds.

Making kichdi can seem daunting at first, but with a little bit of practice, you will become an expert in no time. In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of making kichdi from scratch. We’ll show you how to cook rice and lentils together to create a perfect blend of flavors and textures. So, grab your ingredients and let’s get started!

Section 1: Ingredients

Get your ingredients ready

The foundation of any tasty recipe is the quality of the ingredients you use. To make a delicious kichdi, you’ll need the following ingredients:

1. Rice

2. Moong dal

3. Ghee

4. Whole spices (cumin seeds, mustard seeds, fennel seeds, peppercorns, bay leaf, and cloves)

5. Vegetables (onion, garlic, ginger, tomato, green chili, and carrot)

6. Spices (turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder, and salt)

Section 2: Washing and preparation

Preparing the rice and dal

Before you start cooking the kichdi, you need to wash and soak the rice and moong dal separately for about 30 minutes. Washing the rice and dal removes dirt and starch, and soaking them makes the grains soft and cook more evenly.

Once you’ve soaked the rice and dal, drain the water and set them aside.

Section 3: Start cooking

Heat the pan and add ghee

To start cooking the kichdi, heat a pan on medium heat and add ghee. Ghee is a clarified butter that adds flavor and richness to the kichdi.

After the ghee is melted, add the whole spices and sauté for a few seconds until they become fragrant. The spices add an earthly flavor to the kichdi that enhances its overall taste.

Section 4: Add the vegetables

Sauté the onions, garlic, and ginger

After the whole spices have been sautéed, add the finely chopped onions, garlic, and ginger. Sauté them for a minute or two until the onions turn transparent and the raw smell of garlic and ginger goes away.

Next, add the finely chopped tomatoes and green chili, and cook till the tomatoes soften.

Section 5: Add the spices

Spice it up!

Now it’s time to add the spices. First, add turmeric powder and red chili powder to the pan and mix well. Then, add coriander powder and garam masala powder and mix well.

Adding the spices at this stage allows them to be evenly distributed and better integrated into the kichdi. Don’t add too much red chili powder if you don’t like it spicy.

Section 6: Add the rice and dal

Add the rice and dal

After the spices have been added and mixed in, add the soaked rice and dal to the pan. Mix everything together to coat the grains with the spices and vegetables.

Section 7: Add water

Add water to the pan

Once the rice and dal are mixed in well with the spices and vegetables, add about 4 cups of water to the pan. The amount of water you add depends on the consistency of kichdi you want.

Section 8: Cook it right

Cook till done

Cover the pan and let the kichdi cook on medium heat for about 20-25 minutes. During this time, the grains will absorb the water and cook to a soft, fluffy texture. Stir occasionally to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom of the pan.

Section 9: The finishing touch

Season it right and add some fresh herbs

Once the kichdi is cooked to perfection, add salt to taste and mix it all well. To enhance the flavor further, you can add freshly chopped coriander leaves and mix well.

Section 10: Serve and enjoy

Ready to relish!

Your delicious kichdi is now ready to be served! You can pair it with a side of yogurt, pickle, or papad, and enjoy a hearty meal. Kichdi is not just delicious, but it’s also a nutritious and balanced meal that you can enjoy any time of the day!

Section 2: Common Variations of Kichdi

1. Vegetable Kichdi

Vegetable kichdi is a popular variation of the traditional kichdi recipe. It is made by mixing a variety of vegetables like carrots, beans, peas, and potatoes into the lentil and rice mixture. This not only adds nutritional value to the dish but also makes it more colourful and flavourful.

2. Moong Dal Kichdi

Moong dal kichdi is a healthier alternative to the traditional kichdi recipe. It is made using split green gram or moong dal instead of the usual toor dal. Moong dal is lighter on the stomach and provides a good source of protein, making it an ideal dish for people on a low-fat diet.

3. Bajra Kichdi

Bajra kichdi is a popular variation of kichdi in the northern parts of India. It is made using pearl millet as the main ingredient instead of rice. Bajra is a gluten-free grain and provides a good source of fiber, minerals, and vitamins. Its nutty flavor and chewy texture make it a delightful dish.

4. Masala Kichdi

Masala kichdi is a spicy version of the traditional kichdi recipe. It is made by adding a blend of aromatic spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala to the lentil and rice mixture. This gives the dish a unique flavor and aroma that is sure to tantalize your taste buds.

5. Palak Kichdi

Palak kichdi is an excellent way to incorporate leafy greens into your diet. It is made by mixing chopped spinach into the kichdi mixture. Spinach is a great source of iron and antioxidants, making palak kichdi a healthy and nutritious dish.

6. Khichu

Khichu is a popular Gujarati snack made by mixing rice flour and spices with hot water. The mixture is then kneaded into small balls and steamed. It is typically served with a side of pickle or chutney and is a perfect tea-time snack.

7. Sabudana Kichdi

Sabudana kichdi is a popular Indian snack during fasting or religious events. It is made using sago pearls, peanuts, and potatoes. Sabudana is a gluten-free ingredient that is high in carbohydrates and provides a quick source of energy.

8. Oats Kichdi

Oats kichdi is a healthy and nutritious variation of the traditional kichdi recipe. It is made using rolled oats instead of rice. Oats are high in fiber and protein and contain low levels of fat, making it an ideal dish for weight watchers.

9. Sweet Kichdi

Sweet kichdi is a dessert variation of the traditional kichdi recipe. It is made by mixing rice, lentils, and jaggery with milk and ghee. This sweet dish is usually served during festive occasions as an offering to the gods or as a dessert to guests.

10. Cheese Kichdi

Cheese kichdi is a fusion dish that combines the traditional kichdi recipe with cheese. It is made by adding grated cheese to the lentil and rice mixture. The cheese adds extra creaminess to the dish and makes it a hit with kids and cheese lovers.

Getting the Ingredients

Once you have decided to try your hand at making kichdi, the first thing you need to do is gather all the necessary ingredients. While the recipe is fairly simple, you still want to make sure you have everything on hand before you get started. Here are five things to keep in mind:

1. Rice

The base of any kichdi recipe is rice. You can use any type of rice you like, but basmati rice is the most commonly used. It is fragrant and long-grained, which gives the kichdi a lovely texture. If you do not have basmati rice, you can use any other type of long-grain rice you have available.

2. Lentils

Along with rice, lentils are an important component of kichdi. Most recipes call for a combination of moong dal (yellow lentils) and toor dal (split pigeon peas). These provide a good balance of flavor and nutrition. If you cannot find these varieties, you can use any other lentils that you have on hand.

3. Vegetables

Kichdi is a great way to use up any vegetables that you have in your refrigerator. Common options include carrots, peas, potatoes, cauliflower, and beans. You can also add leafy greens like spinach or kale to make it even more nutritious.

4. Spices

To give kichdi its signature flavor, you will need a variety of spices. Some of the essential ones include cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala. If you have a well-stocked spice cabinet, you should have everything you need. If not, you can easily find pre-mixed spice blends at your local grocery store.

5. Ghee

Ghee is a type of clarified butter that is commonly used in Indian cooking. It gives kichdi a rich, buttery flavor and helps to enhance the other spices. If you cannot find ghee, you can substitute it with melted butter or vegetable oil.

Now that you have all the ingredients, it’s time to move on to the next step: preparing the kichdi.

Time to Enjoy your Kichdi!

There you have it, folks, a simple yet delicious recipe on how to make kichdi. We hope you enjoyed reading about it as much as we enjoyed writing about it. So, why don’t you try making some kichdi right now and see for yourself how delicious it is? We’d love to hear how your kichdi turned out so feel free to leave us a comment down below. Thanks for reading and don’t forget to visit us again for more awesome recipes like this!