Bajra Khichdi Recipe
50 Mins
5-6 People
10 Mins
Healthy and Tasty Bajra Khichdi Recipe
Introduction to Bajra Khichdi:
Bajra Khichdi is a wholesome dish prepared with pearl millet, lentils, and aromatic spices. This nutritious recipe is not only flavorful but also a comforting meal, often enjoyed across India.
Making Bajra Khichdi:
Bajra, along with lentils, is cooked in a pot with water, creating a soft, porridge-like texture. It's seasoned with a blend of spices like cumin, turmeric, and sometimes with added vegetables for extra flavor and nutrition.
Preparation Techniques:
- Millet Choice: Bajra is soaked to soften it before cooking to reduce the cooking time and improve its digestibility.
- Spice Blend: The spice mix can be customized to suit personal preferences, adding depth and aroma to the dish.
Pairing and Serving Bajra Khichdi:
It’s commonly served with yogurt, pickle, or a side of vegetables to create a complete and fulfilling meal.
Health Benefits of Bajra Khichdi:
Bajra is a gluten-free grain rich in fiber, iron, and other essential nutrients. Combined with lentils, it offers a complete protein source and aids in digestion.
Cooking Tips for Bajra Khichdi:
- Consistency: Adjust water quantity for desired consistency—some prefer a thicker, porridge-like texture while others prefer a slightly runny consistency.
- Vegetables: Enhance the nutritional value by adding diced vegetables like carrots, peas, or spinach.
Nutritional Value:
Bajra Khichdi provides a balanced mix of carbohydrates, proteins, fibers, and essential vitamins and minerals, making it a wholesome meal.
- Portions serving: 5-6 pax
- Preparation time: 10 min
- Cooking time: 50 min
- Calories: 346 cal per portion
Ingredients:
- Bajra: 1 cup
- Split green moong dal: ¼ cup
- Ghee: 1 tbsp
- Jeera: 1 tsp
- Dry red chilli: 1 pc
- Hing: ½ tsp
- Garlic (chopped): 1 tbsp
- Onion (chopped): ½ cup
- Salt: 2 tsp
- Tomato (chopped): ½ cup
- Turmeric powder: 1 tsp
- Red chilli powder: 1 tsp
- Coriander powder: 1 tsp
- Carrot: ½ cup
- French beans: ½ cup
- Green peas: ½ cup
- Water: as required
Tadka:
- Ghee: 1 tbsp
- Jeera: 1 tsp
- Dry red chilli: 1 pc
- Hing: 1 tsp
- Garlic (chopped): ½ tbsp
- Red chilli powder: 1 tsp
Method:
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Preparation:
- Rinse bajra and split green moong dal separately. Soak them in water for 30 minutes. Drain and set aside.
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Cooking:
- Heat ghee in a pressure cooker. Add jeera, dry red chilli, hing, chopped garlic, and chopped onions. Saute until onions turn golden brown.
- Add soaked and drained bajra and moong dal to the cooker. Stir well.
- Add salt, chopped tomatoes, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, and coriander powder. Mix everything.
- Add chopped carrots, French beans, green peas, and water (enough to cover the ingredients). Mix well.
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Pressure Cooking:
- Close the lid of the pressure cooker and cook on medium flame. Allow it to cook for 4-5 whistles or until the bajra and dal are well cooked.
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Tadka (Tempering):
- In a separate pan, heat ghee. Add jeera, dry red chilli, hing, and chopped garlic. Saute until garlic turns golden.
- Add red chilli powder and quickly stir. Turn off the heat.
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Final Touch:
- Once the pressure cooker depressurizes, open it carefully. Mash the khichdi slightly with the back of a ladle.
- Pour the prepared tadka over the cooked khichdi. Mix well.
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Serving:
- Serve the piping hot Bajra Khichdi in bowls.
Enjoy this nutritious and flavorful Bajra Khichdi as a wholesome meal!
Conclusion:
Bajra Khichdi is a testament to the nutritional richness of millets. Its versatility in flavors and health benefits makes it a delightful addition to a balanced diet, offering both taste and nourishment.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
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Is Bajra Khichdi gluten-free? Yes, Bajra is naturally gluten-free, making the khichdi suitable for gluten-sensitive individuals.
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Can I make Bajra Khichdi without lentils? While lentils add protein, you can adjust the recipe to omit lentils if preferred.
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Are there variations of Bajra Khichdi? Yes, variations include adding different vegetables or using other millets like foxtail millet instead of bajra.
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Is Bajra Khichdi suitable for weight loss diets? Yes, it's a nutrient-dense, low-calorie dish, suitable for weight management when portion sizes are controlled.
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Can I make Bajra Khichdi without soaking? Soaking helps in digestion and reduces cooking time, but it's possible to make it without soaking, although it might take longer to cook.
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Can I use other millets instead of Bajra? Yes, you can substitute Bajra with other millets like foxtail millet or sorghum for a similar dish.
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Is Bajra Khichdi suitable for a diabetic diet? Bajra has a low glycemic index and can be included in moderation in a diabetic diet plan.
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Can I make Bajra Khichdi spicier? Yes, you can adjust the spice levels by adding more chili or spices according to taste preferences.