A cold winter day demands a warm bowl of Bajra Khichdi or Pearl Millet Khichdi! This simple, comforting, and warming one-pot meal is nutritious and easy to make. Of course, you will need Pearl Millet and Moong Dal. This healthy meal is perfect for bolstering your immune system during cold winters.
Since bajra is considered as heaty and hence they are consumed in winter. Pearl millet is used in many preparations in Rajasthan, Haryana, and some regions of North India. This millet khichidi is traditionally made with ghee or clarified butter, but you can use oil to make it vegan. I use both.
Making any khichdi is easy, and there are variations like this Little Millet Khichdi, Moong Dal Khichdi, and Dalia Khichidi. If you need a khichdi for fasting, you can make sabudana khichdi or bhagar. These are my simple, quick, one-pot meals you will love.
Include millets in your meals these are some easy recipes you can try.
Jump to:
Ingredients for Bajra Khichdi
- Bajra or Pearl Millet: I soak the millet overnight; however, if you forget, try soaking it for a minimum of 6-8 hours before cooking so that it cooks faster and is better assimilated by your body.
- Moong dal - any khichdi for me uses split yellow lentils.
- Oil - Use an odourless vegetable oil. Today, I have used refined peanut oil.
- Spices and Herbs - It is winter, and you need warming spices. I love using cumin seeds, bay leaves, cinnamon, and cloves. You will also need garlic, ginger, turmeric, dhaniya jeera powder, and red chilli powder. You can also optionally use garam masala and green chillies.
- Vegetables: I use onions, tomatoes, French beans, carrots, and green peas. You can also use cauliflower, broccoli, or potatoes.
- You will also need water and salt to taste.
- To garnish, you will need ghee and coriander leaves.
How to make Bajra Khichdi
You can reduce the recipe accordingly if you need a smaller quantity of this Khichdi. Just remember to adjust the ingredients accordingly. This recipe is crowd-friendly; you can always double or triple the amount.
- Soak the bajra overnight. In the morning, rinse and drain it. These days, I find it easy to grind the soaked bajra. It cooks faster and is easy for my Father-in-Law, who has no teeth.
- Rinse the moong dal and soak them while you collect your ingredients.
- Chop your veggies.
- In the pressure cooker, make tempering with oil.
- Saute ginger-garlic paste and onions. Cook the tomatoes.
- Add the veggies, the drained bajra and the soaked moong dal.
- Add water, salt, the dry masalas and pressure cook for 5 whistles.
- Let the pressure fall naturally, open and garnish with ghee and coriander leaves and serve.
Variations for Bajra Khichdi
You can customise the khichdi to suit your needs.
- Spicy - add chilli flakes to make the dish spicy. You can also ass garam masala.
- Gluten-free - avoid adding asafoetida.
- Vegan - do not use ghee or clarified butter.
Equipment for Bajra Khichdi
- Bowls to soak Bajra
- Pressure cooker to cook Bajra Khichdi
- Spoons and ladles
- Plates to serve
Storage of Bajra Khichdi
- You can store the khichdi in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
FAQ for Bajra Khichdi
What are the other names of Pearl Millet?
The other names for Pearl Millet are Bajra, Sajji, Sajja, Kambam, Bulrush Millet.
Is Bajra Khichdi healthy?
Bajra Khichdi is a very healthy millet that is low in calories but high in nutrients and fibre. Perfect for people trying to lose weight, diabetic and heart issues.
Is it okay to eat Bajra every day?
Yes, Bajra or Pearl Millet is healthy and nutritious. However, it should be part of a balanced meal. Add vegetables, both cooked and raw, and some protein.
Why soak Bajra before cooking?
Soaking the bajra overnight or at least 6-8 hours makes it easier to digest and assimilate.
Can we cook Bajra without soaking?
You can cook Bajra without soaking it. However, cooking will take longer.
Related Recipes
You can check our favourites if you want to include more of Pearl Millet in your diet.
Pairing Recipes
I love my khichdi as in the picture, yoghurt, papad, and pickle. Today, I used turmeric pickle, but try it with...
I posted this Bajra Khichdi on 9th April 2014. Updating it with a new write-up and pictures.
Summary:
Bajra Khichdi is a simple, healthy, and hearty one-pot meal made with Lentils and Bajra. It is warm and nutritious, perfect for winter. Try it, and don't forget to like, share and comment with a star on this recipe.
Bajra Khichdi Recipe
Equipment
- 3 Bowls to soak Bajra, moong dal etc
- 1 Pressure cooker to cook
- 2 Spoons and Ladles
- Plates to serve
Ingredients
- 1 cup bajra soaked overnight
- ½ cup moong dal split
Tempering:
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cinnamon
- 2 cloves
Veggies:
- 1 onion chopped fine
- 2 tomatoes chopped fine
- 5-10 french beans
- 1 carrot
- 1 cup green peas
- 2 green chillies slit, optional
The Herbs and Spices:
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon garam masala optional
- 1 teaspoon dhaniya jeera powder
- ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
- 5 cups water
- salt to taste
Garnish:
- 1-2 tablespoon ghee
- 1 tablespoon coriander leaves chopped
Instructions
Prepping the Bajra and Moong Dal:
- Soak bajra overnight.
- After rinsing the bajra, I pulse it in the morning mixer, making cooking easier and quicker. This is an optional step.
- In the morning, rinse and soak the moong dal.
The Tempering:
- Heat oil in the pressure cooker, lower the flame and splutter the cumin seeds.
- Add the bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves and stir.
Stir-frying the Veggies:
- Add the ginger and garlic paste and onions. Raise the flame to medium and stir fry till they soften.
- Add the tomato, reduce the flame, and cook till the tomatoes soften.
- Mix in the French beans, carrots, and peas.
- Add the drained bajra and moong dal.
- Add turmeric, garam masala (if uisng), dhaniya jeera powder, red chilli powder, green chilles (if uisng), salt and mix well.
Pressure Cooking the Khichdi:
- Add water close the pressure cooker and pressure cook for 4-5 whistles.
- Let the pressure drop naturally then open the cooker.
Garnishing and Serving:
- There will be some water, but do not worry - the khichdi will absorb it. Add the ghee and coriander leaves to the khichdi and mix well.
- Serve with dahi, roasted papad and pickle.
Video
Nivedhanams Sowmya says
so yummy and refreshing..
Priya Suresh says
Am ready to finish that plate of healthy khichdi and that super tempting lassi,beautiful dishes there.
vaishali sabnani says
The bajra khichdi is from Rajasthan also...but more popular in Haryana...Archana it is a blessing to gave daughters...trust me we are lost without them.
Varadas Kitchen says
Nice combo. Must have felt good in the April heat. You and the girls should try khari lassi.
The Pumpkin Farm says
love the steel glass used for lassi, makes it more authentic, now i am intrigued to make this bajra khichdi soon
Nalini's Kitchen says
Kichadi sounds healthy and delicious...
Gayathri Kumar says
There are so many kichdi recipes I am reading today. Looks like a filling one pot meal. I can finish the whole glass of lassi in one go!!
Harini-Jaya R says
Same Pinch Archana..Loved your version of the kichdi too.
Saraswathi Tharagaram says
Refreshing and cooling lassi, looks more authentic..
Srivalli says
The entire plate looks very good and inviting Archana...
Pavani N says
I have to get myself some bajra now to try these healthy Haryanavi dishes. That khichdi looks too good.
Chef Mireille says
a great combo
Usha says
Bajra khichidi looks delicious and a healthy dish too.
Manjula Bharath says
Such an healthy khicidi Arachana , they are making me hungry .. Love to drink that tall glass of lassi right away and get the white mustache 😉 🙂
Jayanthi Padmanabhan says
love the frothy lassi.. i love lassi
sasmita says
Such an healthy khichdi di ! Using bajra millet this dish looks so yum and that too along with a glass of lassi its an amazing meal for sure 🙂
ArchanaPotdar says
😀
Priya Srinivasan says
Oh love a well made khichdi, love this bajra khichdi archana, had quite a bit of struggle when i made it first time. your tip to soak overnight and pulsing it actually helped! It was a hit with kids too!
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks for trying, Priya. I am glad you it worked for you.
Mayuri Patel says
Love bajra khichdi as that is a perfect way to enjoy whole pearl millet. With some pickle, papad and dahi it is our comfort meal especially during the winter months.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀
Priya vj says
Bajra khichdi is a superb recipe. I have soaked Bajra to make it today .
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 Glad you are trying it. Let me know how it goes.
Seema says
Bajra is indeed a miracle in winter. We love having bajra in our meals during the autum winter. This bajra kichadi is certainly comfort food.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀
Kalyani says
My neighbour sent this last month when winter was still loitering in our backyard. now i have a great recipe for bajri khichdi . the overnight soak is something I must try next time I make this
ArchanaPotdar says
Do try, Kalyani.
Renu says
We love bajra khichdi as it is a wholesome meal. I recently tried this with yellow moong as per your recipe and everyone loved it.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks for trying, Renu. What dal do you use to make your Khichdi.