Samak Rice Khichdi Recipe
Samak rice khichdi is a one-pot Hindu fasting dish in which samak rice (barnyard millet) is cooked with a simple tempering of cumin, ginger, green chilies, curry leaves, tomatoes, potatoes, and peanuts. Make it with my simple recipe.
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients
- ½ cup samak rice (barnyard millet)
- 2 tablespoons ghee
- 2 tablespoons raw peanuts
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 8-10 curry leaves
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon chopped green chilies
- ½ cup chopped tomatoes
- ½ cup diced potatoes
- 1 teaspoon sendha namak (rock salt)
- 1 teaspoon lime juice optional
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (fresh coriander)
Instructions
- Rinse and soak. Place samak rice in a strainer and rinse under running water for 1 minute or until the water runs clear. Place in a bowl and soak in fresh water for 15 minutes. Drain the water completely after 15 minutes. This step removes excess starch to ensure that khichdi does not become too gooey.
- Fry the peanuts. Heat ghee in a medium pan over medium heat. When the ghee is hot, add the raw peanuts and fry, stirring often, until golden and crunchy. Transfer to a bowl with a spoon and set aside.
- Temper the spices and aromatics. In the same ghee, add cumin seeds and curry leaves and let them splutter for 5-6 seconds. Add ginger and green chilies. Cook for 20 seconds, or until the raw smell goes away.
- Cook the tomato and potato. Add the tomatoes and cook for 1 minute or until soft. Now add the potatoes; cook and stir for 2 more minutes.
- Add the rice. Add the drained samak rice and stir gently for a minute to coat each grain with ghee.
- Water and salt. Add 1 ½ cups of water and sendha namak. Mix gently to combine.
- Cover and cook. Now turn the heat to low. Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until most of the water is absorbed and the rice appears cooked.
- Rest, then fluff. Switch off the heat and let the khichdi rest for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, open the lid and stir the khichdi. Add fried peanuts and lime juice (if using), then stir to combine. Garnish samak khichdi with chopped cilantro and serve hot.
Nutrition
Calories: 215kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 638mg | Potassium: 217mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 118IU | Vitamin C: 49mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 3mg
