Indian · serves 2

Dalia Khichdi

Broken wheat instead of rice. Same comfort, more fibre, thirty minutes.

30 min Easy Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dalia (broken wheat)
  • 1/2 cup moong dal
  • 2 cups mixed vegetables, diced
  • 1 onion, 1 tomato
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp ginger paste
  • Hing
  • 3 tbsp ghee

Method

  1. Dry roast the dalia 3 minutes till it smells nutty. This keeps the grains separate instead of pasty.
  2. Ghee in the cooker, cumin and hing, then onion and ginger.
  3. Tomato, turmeric, salt, then the vegetables for 3 minutes.
  4. Dalia and dal in, folded through, then 4.5 cups water.
  5. 3 whistles, then let the pressure drop on its own.
  6. Loosen with hot water, ghee on top, lemon. Curd on the side.

Questions people ask about Dalia Khichdi

How long does Dalia Khichdi take?

About 30 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is straightforward. Most of that is active, so read the method through before you start rather than chopping as you go.

Can I make Dalia Khichdi ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Is Dalia Khichdi vegetarian?

Yes, it is vegetarian. It is not vegan as written because it contains dairy; swap the dairy for a plant alternative and the rest of the method is unchanged.

Do I need a pressure cooker for Dalia Khichdi?

A cooker is faster but not essential. In an open pot, expect roughly three times the cooking time and keep an eye on the water level, topping up with hot water rather than cold.

What do you serve with Dalia Khichdi?

Curd on the side. It serves two as written. Double everything to feed four, but use a wider pan so the food still browns rather than steams.

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