Sabudana Khichdi - By Chef Rabindra Kumar

Sabudana Khichdi is a popular Indian dish made from soaked sabudana (tapioca pearls). It is commonly consumed during fasting periods, especially during Navratri. This delightful dish is flavorful, wholesome, and easy to prepare, making it a favorite among both fasting and non-fasting individuals.

Ingredients:

- Sabudana (Tapioca Pearls) – 1 cup

- Water – ¾ cup

- Peanuts – ½ cup

- Sugar – 1 tbsp

- Sendha Namak (Rock Salt) – to taste

- Ghee (Clarified Butter) – 2 tbsp

- Cumin Seeds – 1 tsp

- Curry Leaves – few

- Ginger – 30 gm, finely chopped

- Green Chilies – 2, chopped

- Potatoes – 2 medium-sized, cut into cubes

- Lemon – ½

- Fresh Coriander – 50 gm, chopped

Method:

1. Rinse 1 cup of sabudana in a bowl, rubbing the sabudana to remove excess starch. Repeat rinsing twice until the water runs clear.

2. Add ¾ cup of water to the rinsed sabudana and let it soak. Ensure there is no excess water at the bottom of the bowl.

3. In a heavy-bottomed pan, dry roast the peanuts until they turn golden brown. Remove from heat, allow them to cool, and then coarsely crush them.

4. Heat 2 tbsp of ghee in the same pan. Add 1 tsp of cumin seeds and a few curry leaves. Let them splutter.

5. Add finely chopped ginger, chopped green chilies, and cubed potatoes to the pan. Fry until the potatoes turn slightly golden brown.

6. Add the soaked sabudana and crushed peanuts to the pan. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.

7. Cook the mixture on low heat until the sabudana pearls become translucent and soft.

8. Sprinkle 1 tbsp of sugar and rock salt to taste over the khichdi. Mix well.

9. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the khichdi and add chopped fresh coriander. Mix again.

10. Serve the Sabudana Khichdi hot with sweetened yogurt or peeled pomegranate seeds on the side.

Enjoy the delicious and wholesome Sabudana Khichdi as a satisfying meal during fasting periods or as a light and flavorful dish any time of the day!