Khichdi (Sticky Basmati Rice with Lentils)

Sometimes the best meal is the simplest one. Some foods just ooze “comfort” and that cozy feeling of “home.”

Khichdi is one of those simple Indian rice dishes that is also one of the most tasty and comforting. In a nutshell, it is basmati rice that is cooked with a bit of butter or ghee, salt, and turmeric on the stove slowly till the rice becomes extra soft and sticky. It is cooked with different lentils/grains so the flavors mix in with the rice and is just sooo delicious!

There are different types of Khichdi and can range from a curried and more spicy version to a salty, buttery version that can be eaten with any curry or alone with a big dollop of ghee/butter in the middle. However you choose to eat it, it will always remain a dish that can be labeled as a tasty Indian “comfort food.”

I’m going to share my version of Khichdi with you all. This is a very basic recipe but one of my favorites because I can eat this with any curry. I love the buttery flavor of this recipe with a slight saltiness that just satisfies my hungry cravings at times! Haha! I really think you will love the simplicity of this dish and it will give you a better idea of how Indian food can be super flavorful and different with a few ingredients you can find in your home anytime!

Just give it try!

KHICHDI

Servings: 4-5

Ingredients:

• 1 cup basmati rice (cleaned and rinsed)
• 1/4 cup urad dal (black gram) – cleaned and rinsed
• 1/4 cup chana dal (yellow gram) – cleaned and rinsed
• 1 Tbsp. salt (add more to taste)
• 2 to 2.5 Tbsp. butter or ghee
• 3 to 3.5 cup water
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric
• 1/2 cup of slivered onions (optional)
• 1/4 tsp. red chili powder (optional)
• 1/4 cup of oil

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, add rice, black gram, yellow gram, and water. Mix all together and let cook on medium low heat for about 5 minutes
2. Add in salt, butter, turmeric, and (optional items – onions, chili powder). Mix all together into the rice.
3. Let cook on stove on medium to medium-low heat for 30 to 35 minutes. Allow to cook till rice is very soft. (There may be a bit of liquid left in the khichdi after cooking, which is completely fine to have. This will just make the dish a bit looser, but still taste good.)
4. Once cooked, transfer to serving bowl and plate.
5. Serve hot with any curry dish and add an extra dollop of ghee/butter on top before serving.

NOTE: You may also prepare this in a pressure cooker or Instapot. Cooking time may be reduced about 5-10 minutes depending on the type of cooker/Instapot you have. Please read your instruction manual to confirm.

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Let me know what you think about this recipe? Yes, its simple and yes, it’s just a rice dish. But – once you try making this dish, you’ll understand how tasty it is and very different from the rice dishes you may have had before.

Indian Comfort Food! This is how we roll!

Comment below or tag me on IG @cmspiceculture once you’ve tried this recipe. I want to see how it turns out for you!

Enjoy!