Bajra Khichadi is a Khichadi made with pearl millet . This khichadi is normally made in winters and is a delicious and healthy winter meal . After posting Vegetable Khichadi and Paalak Mattar ki Khichadi for the past two days , I decided on this Bajra Khichadi under the One Pot Meal theme.
I have attempted to make this before but every time I failed . The Khichadi would not cook and as a result I gave up . Very recently I was in a special grocery store which stocks healthy products . I spotted the Bajra Khichado mix , I picked the packet and asked the sales guy – does this cook ? He laughed and said – of course it does ! My previous experiences were bad and I did not want another failure .
I picked the packet and spoke to a couple of friends . What I learnt was number one the Bajra needs to be soaked for a couple of hours , number two it has to be crushed coarsely . It definitely takes long to cook and one needs to be patient , but the end result is a delicious , rustic meal . To make it more healthy I sautéed some fresh spinach and peas and served on the side . Green garlic does wonders to this Bajra Khichadi , you must use fresh green garlic and ghee to temper the Khichadi . Do give it a try , I am sure you will enjoy this comforting meal .
Bajra Khichadi
Ingredients
1/2 cup bajra khichdo
2 tsp ghee
1 tsp cumin seeds
Pinch turmeric powder
Salt to taste
Method
Soak the bajra for 6-8 hours .
Drain the water and let it rest in the sieve for 10 minutes so that any extra moisture is drained .
Put the drained bajra in a chopper and pulse it for a few seconds .
We want to crush the bajra lightly .
Heat a nonstick pan .
Add ghee.
Add cumin seeds, let crackle.
Add the coarse bajra and sauté for a few minutes.
Now transfer this bajra to a pressure cooker , add salt, turmeric powder and 3 cups water.
Pressure cook for one whistle and then simmer the gas and let cook for 15 minutes .
Let the pressure drop and then open the cooker .
Check if done , else add some more water and let it simmer and cook for another 10-15 minutes .
Temper with fresh green garlic sautéed in pure ghee.
I served the khichadi with fresh green peas and spinach .
Bajra Khichado
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup bajra khichdo
- 2 tsp ghee
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- Pinch turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Soak the bajra for 6-8 hours .
- Drain the water and let it rest in the sieve for 10 minutes so that any extra moisture is drained .
- Put the drained bajra in a chopper and pulse it for a few seconds .
- We want to crush the bajra lightly .
- Heat a nonstick pan .
- Add ghee.
- Add cumin seeds, let crackle.
- Add the coarse bajra and sauté for a few minutes.
- Now transfer this bajra to a pressure cooker , add salt, turmeric powder and 3 cups water.
- Pressure cook for one whistle and then simmer the gas and let cook for 15 minutes .
- Let the pressure drop and then open the cooker .
- Check if done , else add some more water and let it simmer and cook for another 10-15 minutes .
- Temper with fresh green garlic sautéed in pure ghee.
- I served the khichadi with fresh green peas and spinach .
Somehow am keeping myself away from trying Khichadi with Bajra, i have to give a try to this nutritious dish. Lovely healthy share Vaishali.
Excellent choice Vaishali, though Bajra is a frequent one in our home, we have mostly used it as a flour, sometimes the whole grains as soaked and boiled for salad or even sprouted..I have never tried as a Khichidi..You series this week really rocked and gave me some excellent options for dinner..very nice!
I had failures with bajra,since then stopped making on my own.This kichdi sounds so healthy and nutritious.
I’m a khichdi lover and can have khichdi in all the three meals. Loved all your khichdis this week and especially this bajra khichdi as recently I have started eating millets
Fantastic khichdi. Good tips on how to cook bajra. I have learnt it the harder way 🙂 I tried making bajra halwa but bajra wouldn’t cook at all 🙂
Bajra khichdi is one of my favorite of all. That’s so nice you got the khichdi mix and got the desired result that you wanted.
My my, you are reminding me of all the khichadi made by my mom. Bajra khichadi is so healthy and yours look super duper delicious.
Using millets in place of rice is such a healthy option. I love the flavour of bajra and this kichdi with green garlic tempering sounds fantastic Vaishali..
How nice to get a ready made bajra khichdi mix. I usually soak the whole bajri overnight whenever I make it and it cooks perfectly in a pressure cooker.
what a healthy and wholesomebowl – full of nutrition and must be full of flavor also
Any whole grain is a super hit in my house when made as a kichadi. Kichadi is the first recipe I make when I use a new whole grain. I have used bajra flour, but have not used the whole grain. Will try it soon 🙂
That’s a wonderful way to have bajra. I got to try this….looks so delicious and tempting!
Bajra khichdi looks so healthy and tasty.. but never tried peas.