How To Make Tasty & Healthy Moong Dal Khichdi

Dec 5, 2023

Serves: 2 people

Preparation time: 30 mins

Cooking time: 15 mins

————

Cuisine: Indian

Course: Main

Difficulty level: Easy

————

Rice and dal-based recipes are common comfort foods for many Indians and are usually made for day-to-day consumption. Khichdi is a dish that has a reputation for being bland, but this doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. With the addition of a few spices or herbs, it can be quite flavourful. In Indian cuisine there are many ways to make khichdi. Every state of India has its own comforting khichdi recipe. It is a meal that you can make with very little effort and it is beginner-friendly too.

Khichdi is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for a light lunch or dinner. This lentil and rice preparation is easy to make and quick to prepare. It is packed with protein and carbs, and also includes a variety of vegetables for added nutrition. Kids will love this dish with its creamy ghee and delicious flavour and adding veggies will make you feel full, energized and light on your tummy.

To make this moong dal khichdi recipe I have used Aazol’s Unpolished Indrayani Rice. This sticky and traditional rice variety will give the perfect texture and warmth to this khichdi recipe. This Aazol Indrayani Rice is sourced from a collective of natural farmers in one of Maharashtra's tribal belts and the unique qualities of this organic Indrayani Rice makes it the ideal choice for a khichdi recipe.

Nutritious and light on the tummy, serve this healthy, comforting and nourishing porridge-like Dal Khichdi with curd, raita or papad.

For Soaking Lentils and Rice

½ cup Moong dal

½ cup Unpolished Indrayani Rice

Water as required

Other Ingredients

2 tablespoons ghee or oil

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

⅓ cup finely chopped onions

⅓ cup finely chopped tomatoes

½ teaspoon finely chopped green chillies

1 teaspoon finely chopped or grated ginger

¼ teaspoon turmeric powder

1 pinch asafoetida

5 cups of water

Salt as per taste

Vegetables of your choice

Moong Dal Khichdi Ingredients

Instructions

Wash Indrayani Rice and dal together for 3-4 times or till water runs clear.

Soak both Indrayani Rice and moong dal in water for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, chop the vegetables.

After 30 minutes, drain the water and set moong dal and rice aside.

Now, heat ghee or oil in a pressure cooker and add cumin seeds once the ghee is heated.

When cumin seeds start turning brown, add chopped onions and saute till it becomes translucent.

Once the onions become translucent, add chopped ginger and green chillies and let it cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

After green chillies and ginger is cooked, it is time to add veggies of your choice (optional). Here I have added some chopped potatoes, carrots and capsicums.

Any vegetables can be added to the recipe. Like green peas, carrots, zucchini, french beans, broccoli, capsicum, brinjal, spinal etc.

Stir vegetables for a few seconds.

Lastly add tomatoes and let it cook till it softens. It will take 3-4 minutes for tomates to be cooked.

Now, it is time to add some masalas. Add turmeric powder and asafoetida and mix well.

Add Indrayani Rice and moong dal to the pressure cooker, stir and sauté for a minute.

Next add water and salt and close the lid tightly. Pressure cook it on medium-low flame for 8-10 minutes or for 2 whistles on medium flame.

Tip- to check the salt taste of the water. It should be salty. If the water does not taste salty, then add a few pinches of salt and mix.

Switch off the flame and let the pressure fall naturally. When the pressure is removed, open the cooker and check for the consistency.

If it looks thick, add hot water and mix well. And if it is thin then let it simmer on low heat. The consistency can be adjusted according to the preferences.

Serve khichdi warm with 1-2 teaspoons of ghee on top.

To make moong dal khichdi for babies, skip adding salt and all of the spices and herbs.

Recipe Tips

If you don’t have a pressure cooker this khichdi recipe can also be made in a pot or pan. It is important to note to add 5 cups of water to it if making it in a pan or pot.

For a rich flavour of spices, you can also add tejpatta, cloves, cinnamon, black peppercorns, and cardamom or use Aazol’s Kala Masala.

Unlike rice based dishes like pulao or biryani, in khichdi the rice grains are not separated. Increase or decrease the water quantity to vary the consistency of the moong dal khichdi.