Deliciously Moong Dal Khichdi | 2 Easy One-Pot Khichdi Recipes

Moong Dal Khichdi Recipe for a Comforting Meal

Khichdi, a beloved dish in Indian cuisine, is a wholesome and versatile one-pot meal that encapsulates simplicity, comfort, and nutrition. This classic dish is crafted from a harmonious blend of rice and lentils, typically moong dal, combined with aromatic spices. Its preparation varies across regions, reflecting diverse culinary traditions, yet the essence remains consistent. A balanced, nourishing meal that's easy to digest. Often considered a comfort food, khichdi offers a canvas for personalization, allowing for various additions of vegetables, spices, or accompaniments based on individual preferences. Beyond its culinary appeal, khichdi holds cultural significance, often served during festivals especially on Makar Sankranti or as a go-to choice for a comforting home-cooked meal. Its ability to soothe the palate and provide sustenance has solidified its place as a timeless favorite among households, symbolizing warmth, simplicity, and a celebration of flavors in every spoonful. In this blog I am sharing recipe of two different type Khichdi- one is simple moong dal khichdi and other is vegetable masala khichdi.

Read Recipe in Hindi: मूंग दाल खिचड़ी रेसिपी

Also try my: Vegetable Biryani Pulao Recipe

1. Ingredients Needed for Moong Dal Khichdi or Vegetable Masala Khichdi
2. Step-by-Step Preparation of Delicious Moong Dal Khichdi
3. Step-by-Step Preparation of Vegetable Masala Khichdi

Ingredients Needed for Moong Dal Khichdi or Vegetable Masala Khichdi

FOR MOONG DAL KHICHDI

• 1 cup rice
• 1 cup moong dal
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/4 tsp hing powder (asafoetida)
• 2 tsp oil
• 2 tsp ghee
• 2 tomatoes chopped
• 2 tsp finely chopped ginger
• 2-3 green chilies finely chopped
• 1/2 cup green peas (Optional)
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• Salt to taste
• 6 cups water

FOR VEGETABLE MASALA KHICHDI

• 4 tsp ghee
• 2 bay leaf 
• 1 tsp cumin 
• ½ tsp asafoetida (hing)
• 1 inch cinnamon 
• 3 cloves
• 2 cardamoms
• 1 large onion finely chopped
• 2-3 chopped green chilli
• 1 cup peas
• 2 tsp ginger garlic paste
• 1 tomato finely chopped
• 1 carrot finely chopped
• ½ cup capsicum chopped
• A handful of coriander finely chopped
• 1 tsp turmeric
• ½ tsp kashmiri red chilli powder
• ½ tsp garam masala
• 1 cup rice
• 1 cup moong dal
• 5 cups water
• Salt to taste

Step-by-Step Preparation of Delicious Moong Dal Khichdi

1. Begin by rinsing 1 cup of rice and 1 cup of moong dal thoroughly. Soak them in enough water for approximately 15-20 minutes. After soaking, drain the water and set aside the rice and dal.
2. Transfer the soaked rice and dal to a pressure cooker and add about 6 cups of water. Include salt, and turmeric powder. Cook the mixture on high heat for around 2-3 whistles or until the rice and dal are soft and mushy. Set this aside once cooked.
3. In a separate pan over medium heat, add a combination of ghee and oil (or use either one). Once hot, add cumin seeds, mustard seeds and a pinch of asafoetida. Wait until the cumin seeds crackle and the mustard seeds start popping.
4. Introduce chopped ginger, and green chili to the pan. Sauté them until the garlic and ginger turn a light golden brown.
5. Add chopped tomatoes and green peas, cooking them for an additional 2-3 minutes.
6. Combine the cooked rice and dal with the mixture in the pan. Mix well, adjusting salt to taste.
7. Garnish the khichdi with fresh coriander and serve. For an authentic experience, serve the moong dal khichdi with an extra drizzle of ghee on top. It pairs wonderfully with moong dal papad, pickle, green chutney and curd served as accompaniments.

Step-by-Step Preparation of Vegetable Masala Khichdi

1. Begin by taking 1 cup of rice and 1 cup of moong dal in a bowl. Wash them thoroughly 2-3 times and then drain the water. Set the washed rice and dal aside.
2. Heat a pressure cooker over medium heat and add  ghee. Add bay leaf, cardamoms, cinnamon, cloves, cumin seeds, and a pinch of asafetida.
3. Add chopped onions, green chili, and ginger-garlic paste. Sauté until the onions turn translucent.
4. Add chopped tomatoes into the mixture and cook until they soften.
5. Add other vegetables like peas, carrots, and capsicum. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
6. Next, add turmeric, chili powder, garam masala, and salt. Cook on low flame, allowing the spices to infuse their flavors.
7. Mix in the previously washed rice and moong dal. Cook for about a minute on low flame.
8. Pour in 5 cups of water and thoroughly combine all the ingredients.
9. Cover the pressure cooker and cook on medium flame until it whistles 2-3 times.
10. Once done, garnish with fresh coriander and serve the masala khichdi alongside curd, green chutney, or pickle for a delightful meal.

Tips to Perfect Your Khichdi

• Adjust water quantity based on your preferred consistency.
• Customize spices to suit your taste buds.
• Add more vegetables of your choice.