A warm bowl of khichadi recipe with moong dal is the ultimate comfort food which is simple yet nourishing. This Khichadi recipe with moong dal/moong lentils brings together the ancient wisdom of balanced eating with modern nutrition through grains like quinoa, dalia, brown rice, and bajra. Light, wholesome, and easy to digest, this moong dal khichadi provides satiety while nourishing the body with a balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fibre. This moong dal khichadi is rich in Vitamin C, B complex, Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium & Phosphorus.
Why you’ll love this recipe?
- It is nutritious and balanced, packed with protein and fibre made with whole grains.
- It’s light & easy to digest yet filling and comforting.
- Rich in vitamins, minerals, fibre important for optimal functioning.
Quinoa is the only plant grain that contains a sufficient quantity of all 7 essential amino acids and is a good source of proteins. Grain is gluten-free and high in fibre, Magnesium, Vitamin B, Iron, Potassium, Calcium, Manganese, Phosphorous & Vitamin E.
Dalia, or broken wheat, is a good source of proteins, fibre, Vitamin B6, Iron & it has a low glycaemic index, which helps stay full for longer & manage hunger. Brown rice and bran provide dietary fibre and essential fatty acids, and the germ contains a number of nutrients.
Bajra or Pearl Millet is very good for diabetic people; it helps in digestion, detoxifies your body, its heart
healthy, reduces cholesterol and blood pressure, high in protein and fibre. When mixed with moong dal or lentils, these grains form a balanced, easy-to-digest, and nutrient-dense meal that keeps you energized and satisfied.
Ingredients:
- Brown Rice / Dalia / Quinoa / Bajra – 1 Katori (Soak Brown Rice / Bajra Overnight)
- Green / Yellow Moong Dal – 1 Katori
- Mix Veggies – 2 Katori (onion, carrot, tomato, peas, French beans, cabbage, etc)
- Ginger – 1 Small piece grated
- Chilli – 1 (optional) or Chilli powder ½ Tsp
- Haldi powder – ½ Tsp
- Any masala – 1 Tsp (Garam / Dhania-Jeera powder/ Sambar Masala / Amchur powder etc.)
- Coriander – A handful for garnishing
- Salt – To taste
- Lemon – 1 Tsp juice
Method:
- Wash the Brown Rice / Dalia / Quinoa / Bajra & Moong dal mix 3 to 4 times thoroughly.
- Chop all the vegetables as cubes or strips
- Heat a pressure cooker, add Brown Rice / Quinoa / Bajra-dal mix, diced veggies & ginger, chilli
powder, Haldi powder & masala to taste. - Mix all the ingredients well & then add 5 katori water (or little more if you want very soft khichadi).
- After 2 whistles, lower the gas flame & let it cook for 5 more mins. (for bajra khichadi it takes little longer to cook for 10 mins on low flame you will have to cook)
- Garnish it with coriander & lemon. Serve hot with vegetable raita or soup or salad or buttermilk or curd.
- You can also heat water separately & add so that it hastens the process of cooking
- Seasoning can be according to individual taste, you can also add garlic & khada masala (tej patta, cinnamon, lavang & pepper).
Pro tips:
- Soak the grains well – Soak brown rice or bajra overnight to soften them – it shortens cooking time
and improves digestibility. - Adjust water as per texture – Add more water for a mushy, porridge-like Khichadi; cut back on the
water a little for a grainier consistency. - Boost flavour – Lemon juice or spices like cumin, garam masala or coriander powder can be used to
boost flavour. - Add extra vegetables – Vegetables like carrots, peas or beans can be added to increase the fibre
intake and add that extra crunch. - Keep it oil-free but tasty – Roasting dry spices or adding fresh coriander and lemon at the end will add flavour to this oil-free Khichadi recipe.
- Pair it wisely – This moong dal khichadi can be served hot with a bowl of curd , raita or a glass of
buttermilk to make it a wholesome and balanced meal.
FAQs:
1. Can I use only one type of grain in this Khichadi?
Yes, you can make it with just brown rice, quinoa, dalia, or bajra or mix them for added texture and
nutrients.
2. Will this khichadi recipe with moong dal help with weight loss?
Absolutely! It’s rich in fibre, protein, and complex carbohydrates that keep you full longer. Hence, it’s an
ideal Khichadi recipe for weight loss.
3. Is this khichadi recipe healthy?
Absolutely! This moong dal khichadi recipe has high protein and fibre & is balanced with complex
carbohydrates making it a healthy recipe for your diet.
4. Can I use another lentil instead of moong dal?
Yes, you can use toor dal or masoor dal in place of moong dal. But moong dal is preferred as it is light and easy to digest.
5. Is this Khichadi suitable for kids or the elderly?
Yes! It’s light on the stomach, highly digestible, and packed with nutrition. Therefore, it’s perfect for all
age groups.
6. How can I add more protein to this recipe?
Yes, you can add paneer, tofu or sprouts in the end after pressure cooking the khichadi for that protein
boost.
7. How can I make the khichadi gluten free?
To make it gluten free you can skip the dalia and use quinoa, bajra or brown rice as they are all gluten free grains.
8. How can I make it a balanced meal?
To make it balanced, you can pair it up with curd or buttermilk and a bowl of vegetable salad.
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