Go Back

Bajra Khichdi | Pearl Millet Porridge

Prep Time 12 hours
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 day 30 minutes
Course main
Servings 2

Ingredients
  

  • 2/3 cup pearl millet bajra
  • 1/3 cup moong dal
  • 2 tsp ghee or coconut oil
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 2 medium potatoes peeled and quartered
  • 1 medium carrot cut into chunks
  • 1 large tomato quartered
  • 2-3 green chillies slit
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tbsp coriander powder
  • 1 tsp garam masala powder
  • 2 cups finely chopped spinach

Instructions
 

  • To prepare the pearl millet khichdi / bajra khichdi, soak the millet for at least 12 hours in water. This step is mandatory.
  • Wash moong dal. Drain and keep aside. Drain water from the millet just before preparing the khichdi.
  • Heat ghee in a pressure pan (~3-5 Litre capacity). Fry cumin seeds, garlic, chillies and vegetables for a minute.
  • Add the drained millet and moong dal along with all the dried spices and salt.
  • Mix 4.5 cups water into this and bring to a boil.
  • Lock the cooker lid with the pressure weight plugged in.
  • After 3 whistles, reduce flame to sim and cook for 15-20 minutes. Because of this long cooking on slow flame, it is important to add more than adequate water to the khichdi otherwise it will burn and stick to the bottom of the cooker. Beginner cooks can also transfer the entire mix with the water into another vessel that fits inside the cooker. Keep 1.5 inches of water in the bottom of the cooker. Mix in 4 cups water to the millet-dal-veg mix in the vessel and cook similarly, or possibly for 5 minutes longer on sim (20 mins after 3 whistles).
  • Once the pressure subsides, open cooker and stir in the finely chopped spinach into the khichdi. Keep covered for 5-10 minutes so the spinach cooks in the residual heat.
  • You will know that the pearl millet is cooked on tasting or if the grains have broken open.
  • Serve this hot along with roasted papads and sliced cucumber. Pickles and yogurt optional.

Notes

Prepare the same khichdi using any other whole grain like foxtail millet, brown rice or quinoa.
Use any seasonal vegetables like beans, sweet potatoes, green peas, pumpkin and a mix of any seasonal green leafy vegetables.