Oats Khichdi is an Indian style oats porridge packed with vegetables and yellow moong dal. It’s a fabulous vegetarian one-pot casserole meal cooked in a pressure. Oats Khichdi is a wholesome recipe that replaces rice with oats, has lots of veggies for nutrition, and moong dal for protein.
After a long, hard day at work, there’s nothing like relaxing on your favorite couch at home with a big generous serving of warm khichdi, pickle and some ghee drizzled on top. That’s healthy comfort food at its best.
Unlike the traditional dal khichdi, we’re replacing oats with rice to up the nutritional content and lower the calorie content.
There are different methods of making Khichdi in India (perhaps that’s why it’s been declared our national dish). Starting with the way it’s spelled – Khichdi, khichri or khichuri, to the texture of the khichdi, there are so many variations.
Some khichdi recipes prefer the oats and dal to still retain their own texture and don’t include any vegetables into the mix. While others like their khichdi nice and mushy, almost like a porridge – easy to digest, great on the palate and suitable for toddlers as well.
This khichdi recipe is going to be more of the latter. It has a perfect melt-in-mouth kinda texture and keeps you full for hours.
Is it necessary to make oats khichdi in a pressure cooker?
The pressure cooker just helps to get the perfect texture of the khichdi real fast. It also helps the lentils, oats, and vegetables cook evenly. Using a pressure cooker simplifies the process and is highly recommended. Of course, you can use an instant pot or saucepan for the purpose. (also read: 10 Best Pressure Cooker Recipes).
What vegetables can be added to oats khichdi?
Anything you fancy – carrots, beans, potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, peas are some great options. In fact, green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, fenugreek taste fantastic in this savory oats porridge.
What can be served alongside this one-pot oats khichdi?
One can keep it healthy with a cooling mint pomegranate raita. If you like spice, serve it with a delicious seasonal pickle or mint chutney. The soft creaminess of the khichdi pairs well with the crunchiness of potato masala aloo as well and can really take this dish to the next level.
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Oats Khichdi Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Cup whole oats
- 1 Cup yellow moong dal (dhuli moong)
- 1/2 Cup fine chopped onion
- 1/4 Cup fine chopped tomato
- 1 Cup fine chopped spinach
- 1/4 Cup fine chopped carrot
- 2 tablespoom ghee (clarified butter)
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)
- 1/4 teaspoon hing (asafoetida)
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder
Instructions
- Wash and soak the dal in 2 cups of water.
- Heat ghee in a pressure cooker.
- Add cumin seeds, asafoetida and let them splutter for a few seconds.
- Next, add the chopped onion and saute for 2 – 3 minute over medium flame.
- Add the soaked dal (not the water), tomato, carrot, spinach and stir to combine. Saute for 3 – 5 minutes.
- Now, add the oast, spices, salt and 6 cups of water. Stir to mix.
- Seal the pressure cooker with a lid. Cook khichdi over low heat for 2 – 3 whistles. Turn off the heat. Let the steam release naturally from the pressure cooker.
Recipe Notes:
- You can use instant pot or an electric pressure cooker as well to make this khichdi. Cooking time may vary as per the equipment.
- I have used whole oats to make this khichdi. You can use rolled oats, instant oats or steel cut oats for this khichdi recipe.
- Recommended Equipment: Pressure Cooker (buy it here)
