Bihari Khichdi

Brunch, a portmanteau of breakfast and lunch is one of the most convenient and best concept devised for people like me. In recent times, sleep is something that I am not able to give up, especially the early morning slumber. Whichever time of the night I fall asleep, getting up at around six would be a dreadful thing. I just can't imagine how I finished my graduation. The odd thing about this is that I was an early riser as a child and loved getting up early morning. Somewhere down the line, I have changed and now it has become almost irreversible. So, nowadays weekends are godsend! According to the article, Brunch: A plea in hunter's weekly, the concept of brunch was introduced as a Sunday meal for those saturday night party lush. It quotes, "By eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would make life brighter for Saturday-night carousers." Nailed it but this need not be only for carousers right ? The practice started in England in the late 19th century and then slowly travelled across the other continents. Now the restaurants have adopted and maneuvered this practice by serving them on special occasions like Women's day and Valentine's day, commercializing it on a very large scale.

Rather than having an elaborate spread, I settle down for one meal that will be very filling. We always get up hungry, so something that can be prepared quickly would always be preferred. What can be more filling than a one-pot-meal Bihari Kichdi ? This can be had as a breakfast as well. No harm. Did you know that it is customary to have Khichdi on every Saturday in Bihar ? I picked up this recipe solely based on this old adage. Actually the first line is the common saying. The second one is adapted from here.

"Khichdi ke chaar yaar, dahi, papad, ghee, achaar

Aur yeh kehthe hain har shanivar"

The translation would be: Curd (yoghurt), Papad, ghee and achaar (pickle) are Khichdi's best friends and we keep saying this every Saturday. I kept reciting it like a three year old, the whole day and H, literally had to scold me for shutting my mouth. But who cares ? Cool, isn't it? I still can't stop smiling. I am controlling myself not to go on in another reciting spree because of this post. I read somewhere that the Hindus believed that this Kichdi will protect themselves from any ill effects due to "Shani", the planet Saturn. I was not able to find any substantial piece supporting this Saturday tradition. But Kichdi is widely eaten in Bihar in other occassions as well, mostly during winter and at Sankaranti celebration. Though khichdi is famous throughout the north, every region has its own variation. Other typical bihari breakfast are Dahi chura, litti chokka, sattu paratha etc... This recipe was adapted from this blog here.

Bihari Khichdi aur uske "Chaar Yaar"

Lentils, veggies and rice medley. An Indian one pot meal for weekend brunch.

Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 20 Mins | Total time: 30 Mins | Serves: 3

Ingredients

1 Cup Rice
½ Cup Toor Dal, washed and drained
½ Cup Masoor Dal, washed and drained
1 Cup Veggies (carrot, peas, beans, spinach)
~3 Cups Water (1)
4 tablespoon Ghee, divided
1 Bay Leaf
2 Cloves
3 Cardamom pods
1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
½ teaspoon Cumin powder
1 teaspoon Coriander powder
1 teaspoon Chilli powder
2 teaspoon Garam Masala

Instructions

Heat 2 tablespoon ghee in a pressure cooker. Add the whole spices (bay leaf, cloves and cardamom pods). Once they sizzle and pop, add the cumin seeds.
Then add both the dal, rice and fry for a minute. Then add the veggies and stir them for a couple of minutes more.
Add about 3 cups of water and pressure cook it for 3-4 whistles.
Once the pressure is released, add the remaining ghee and garnish it with coriander leaves.

Notes

In kichdi, the lentils and rice will be well cooked, almost smashed. So add more water than you would add for cooking rice.
The above pic has more of spinach since I had lots. Generally, locally available veggies are added.

This post falls under the Bihar state of North east India. Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 39

Comments

Satyendra Kumar says
December 19, 2016 at 5:52 am
In Bihar we eat Khichdi and aaloo ka chokha, Achar, Dahi, Ghee and Papad every Saturday and on Makar Sankranti Dinner. Yummy!!!!!!!!!!!
Manish Kumar says
October 10, 2015 at 3:25 pm
Today I wanted have Khichdi. Stumbled upon your blog and showed to my wife. Hopefully i wll love it.
Suma Gandlur says
May 08, 2014 at 2:20 am
Filling, yummy and colorful!
Padmajha PJ says
May 01, 2014 at 1:29 pm
Lovely kichidi and its chaar yaar.And am now on the reciting spree 🙂
Sreevalli E says
April 19, 2014 at 2:34 am
Comforting & tasty dish & the write up is very informative.
Nalini's Kitchen says
April 17, 2014 at 2:57 pm
Comforting yet easy to make one pot meal,my kind of comforting lunch...
Chef Mireille says
April 12, 2014 at 5:00 am
the perfect one pot meal
Priya Srinivasan says
April 11, 2014 at 11:47 am
Yeah i too read that khichi ka proverb!! Lovely spread there, i too make a quick one-pot meal especially on weekends, yes we wake up all hungry!!!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
April 08, 2014 at 6:17 pm
What an awesome kichdi song and a lovely kichdi to go with it 🙂 Looks super delicious Nisha!
Nivedhanams Sowmya says
April 07, 2014 at 8:08 pm
enjoyed reading your post!!! and this healthy khichdi is so filling and delicious...
Jayanthi Padmanabhan says
April 07, 2014 at 6:29 am
Nice post.. enjoyed reading it. Khichdi looks real good
Archana Potdar says
April 06, 2014 at 12:56 pm
I will love the char yaar and khichdi any day anytime. Delicious spread. Now I think today its going to be khichdi for dinner.
Harini-Jaya R says
April 05, 2014 at 9:53 pm
Hey thats a good rhyme you coined! Healthy and comforting khichdi!
Srivalli says
April 05, 2014 at 4:31 pm
Such an awesome post Nisha, so nice reading about another kichidi..and reading about your childhood and how it is now..well times change huh?..:)
Priya Suresh says
April 05, 2014 at 3:13 pm
Wat a comforting one pot meal na, i did the same and seriously we had a fantastic lunch with this nutritious khichdi.
Gayathri Kumar says
April 05, 2014 at 12:47 pm
Yes I agree with you. This is a delicious one pot meal for saturday...
The Pumpkin Farm says
April 05, 2014 at 9:19 am
Nisha...you write so beautifully....loved yoru prep and the theme ..chaar yaar
Saraswathi Tharagaram says
April 05, 2014 at 6:20 am
Healthy and nutritious combo and you presented very well..
vaishali sabnani says
April 05, 2014 at 5:42 am
Your post title made me curious and it made me smile on reading. .what a beautiful post.loved it..so did I love this khicdi..and I live the kicdi ke yaar also...super ..Nisha:))
Usha says
April 05, 2014 at 5:21 am
Khichdi is a perfect brunch for a lazy Sunday morning.
Sapana Behl says
April 05, 2014 at 4:51 am
Khichdi looks so delicious and healthy !
Varadas Kitchen says
April 05, 2014 at 12:55 am
That is a lovely brunch you have put together. Khichdi looks great.
Pavani N says
April 04, 2014 at 10:17 pm
Now I'm singing your khichdi song and Disha started clapping & dancing 🙂
That is a very healthy & nutritious combo. Will try it some time.

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