This is healthy, nutritious, and a comforting meal. This is millet based. Millets and dal provide crabs, proteins, and the veggies give essential micro nutrients making this a healthy one. This can be veganized by using oil instead of ghee. This can be served with a dollop of ghee on top, with yogurt, or with pickle/achar.
Khichdi is always comfort meal. And it is also a quick one-pot meal. Whether you do it in a pressure cooker or Instant Pot, khichdi is always easy, given the advantage that in Instant Pot pressure can be released quick. This Instant Pot recipe is exactly tasty as the stove top version. With a minimal saute, pressure cook for 7 minutes, do a quick release, mix, and enjoy a bowl of heaven!
Rice and dal cooked together is called khichdi and can be made with any grain or dal too. The nutritional profile can be enriched by adding more than one grain or dal. Khichdi thickens when cooled, so add a little hot water and mix while serving left overs to get the right consistency.
When I checked my pantry, I saw these wholegrains, and immediately started on this easy, one-pot comfort meal. Though I have used finger millet grits, the whole millet can be used. Any millet can be used and this can be made with single grain too. The same is valid for dal too - use one dal or a mix, the result is always divine.
A dollop of ghee on top of steaming bowl of khichdi is always the most comforting food. This is amde with ghee. Since it is only the animal derived product, this khichdi can easily be veganized by using any oil. Coconut oil would taste amazing but any oil would work.
I have added a little Kohlapuri masala, which has amazing spices and coconut. Coriander powder or garam masala can be used, or it can be skipped too. Add a little cayenne or extra Thai chili according to spice level.
I am sharing this one-pot meal for an event "One Pot Wonders" hosted by Christie. One-pot meals are always amazing. This recipe has wholegrains.This month is #NationalWholegrainsmonth and hence decided on sharing this recipe for the event. We share Recipes From Our Dinner Table! Join our group and share your recipes, too! While you're at it, join our Pinterest board, too!
Rice or grain and dal mixture are always quick to make and more comforting. They are very delicious and satisfying too. Tapioca Pearl Stirfry/Sabudana Khichdi is a grain free dal free recipe which is one of our favorite too. Here are some rice/grain - dal based khichdi recipes from the blog which would taste amazing!
Ingredients
Serves 6 to 8
Barnyard millet - 1/4 cup
Kodo millet - 1/4 cup
Foxtail millet - 1/4 cup
Finger millet grits or millet - 1/4 cup
or
any millet or millet mix - 1 cup
Yellow split moong dal - 1/4 cup
Toor dal - 1/4 cup
Green split moong dal - 1/4 cup
Orange lentils - 1/4 cup
or
any dal - 1 cup
Water - 6.5 cup
Onion - 1/2 cup, chopped
Ginger - 1/2 tsp
Cabbage - 1 cup, chopped
Carrots - 1 cup, diced
Peas - 1 cup
Spinach - 2 cups, chopped
Salt - 2 tsp
Turmeric - 1/2 tsp
Kohlapuri masala - 1/2 tsp (or garam masala)
For Tempering
Ghee 3 to 4 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 3/4 tsp
Cumin - 1 tsp
Asafetida - 1/4 tsp
Curry leaf - 1 sprig
Whole black cardamom -1
Bay leaf - 1 or 2
Cloves - 3
Cinnamon - 1-in piece
Green Thai chili - 3 to 4
Dried red chili - 2 or 3, torn
Method
Switch on the Instant Pot in saute mode. Add the ghee, followed by dried red chilies, mustard seeds, cumin, and asafetida.Add the curry leaves, bay leaves, black cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, green chili, and ginger. Saute for 30 seconds. Add the onions and saute for 2-3 minutes. Add the veggies.
Next add the washed millets and dal, followed by salt, turmeric, and Kohlapuri Masala. Mix, and add water. Switch off the saute mode.
Close the Instant Pot, set in high pressure mode for 7 minutes. Once done, release the pressure.
Add the spinach, mix and adjust to check the taste and consistency.
Serve hot-hot with a dollop of ghee, and/or with yogurt, pickle/achar.
Here are the links to more "One Pot Wonders". Thanks, Christie!
- Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Cherry Tomatoes from Art of Natural Living
- Easy Kielbasa Cabbage Potato Skillet from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Easy One-Pot Mixed Millets and Dal Khichdi from Magical Ingredients
- Instant Pot Butter Beans and Country Ham from Palatable Pastime
- One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
- One-Pot Stove Top Mac and Cheese from Cheese Curd In Paradise
- Rustic Chicken and Sausage White Bean Stew from Blogghetti
- Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup from The Spiffy Cookie
Lisa says
This dish is amazing...I love the color and all of the flavors
Hezzi-D says
I'm all for the easy meals during the week and this one is bursting with flavor.
Inger says
This looks so flavorful! You are really helping me round out my vegetarian repertoire!
Radha says
Thanks, Lisa!
Radha says
Thanks Heather!
Radha says
Thanks, Inger! Glad to hear.