Bengali Khichdi | Khichuri Recipe

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Bengali khichdi also known as Bhaja muger dal khichuri is a delicious one-pot meal of rice, moong lentils and mixed vegetables. This Bengali khichuri recipe is always made during Durga puja festival. It is offered as bhog to Goddess Durga along with some other Bengali delicacies. A satvik, vegan and no onion no garlic recipe.

khichuri recipe served in a bowl with baingan bhaja and papad in the a plate kept in the background.

The Bengali khichdi has an addition of mixed vegetables that we generally add to Pulao like – cauliflower, green peas, potatoes, carrots etc. I had potatoes, cauliflower and peas and hence added them to the khichdi.

Adding the vegetables to this rice and lentil preparation makes it a wholesome one-pot meal. You can even skip adding vegetables if you prefer.

Again like the Cholar Dal, in this recipe, panch phoron (5 spice mix) is not used. The khichuri is made fragrant by tempering whole garam masala or spices like tej patta, cinnamon, cloves and green cardamom.

The moong lentils are roasted first and this imparts a lovely warm aroma and taste to the khichdi. It is also a no onion no garlic recipe. The consistency of the khichdi can be adjusted to one’s preference. The khichdi that is made during Durga puja has a porridge like consistency. To suit the family’s taste buds, I did not make a porridge like khichdi.

I have loosely adapted this Bengali khichuri recipe from two of the Bengali cookbooks which I have. Mix and matched both of them to get the best recipe.

This roasted Bengali khichdi is served with Baingan Bhaja or Aloo Bhaja. A bowl of yogurt and some roasted papads by the side would also go very well with it. I had made both fried as well as baked baingan bhaja to go with the khichdi and the combo was really delicious.

You can make this one pot meal for lunch or dinner.

Step-by-Step Guide

How to make Bengali Khichdi

1. Rinse 1 cup of basmati rice or Govind bhog rice a couple of times in fresh water. Here I have used basmati rice. But usually Govind bhog rice is used.

rinsing water

2. Soak the rice in enough water in a bowl for 20 to 30 minutes.

soaked rice in water

3. After 20 to 30 minutes drain the water using a colander and set the soaked rice aside.

water drained from soaked rice

4. In a pan, take 1 cup moong lentils (split and husked moong dal). Roast the dal on low heat stirring often.

roasting moong dal

5. While roasting or toasting stir moong dal often on a low heat. Continuous stirring helps the lentils to be evenly roasted.

roasting moong dal

6. Roast till the lentils turn light golden and fragrant. You will see that the lentils will begin to change color. Once the lentils are roasted well enough, remove them from the pan and transfer to a bowl.

roasted moong dal

7. When the lentils cool down, then rinse them in the water a couple of times. Then drain the water and set the moong lentils aside.

rinsing roasted moong dal

Making Bengali khichuri

8. Heat 3 tablespoons ghee or oil in a 3 litre stovetop pressure cooker.

ghee added to stovetop pressure cooker

9. Add 1 inch cinnamon, 2 green cardamoms, 3 cloves, 1 tej patta (Indian bay leaf) and 1 teaspoon cumin seeds. Fry the whole spices till they splutter and become fragrant on a low heat.

The cumin seeds should also crackle when frying the spices.

sauteing spices

10. When the spices become fragrant, add 1 inch grated ginger.

grated ginger added

11. Fry for 5 to 6 seconds or till the raw aroma of the ginger goes away.

sauteing the ginger

12. Then add ½ teaspoon turmeric powder, ½ to ¾ teaspoon red chili powder and 1 pinch asafoetida (hing). The addition of asafoetida is optional.

spice powders and hing added

13. Saute for 2 to 3 seconds on a low heat.

sauteing for 2 to 3 seconds more

14. Then add 2 small-sized chopped tomatoes. Also add 1 chopped green chili.

chopped tomato and green chili added

15. Saute stirring often on medium-low heat till the tomatoes soften and become pulpy.

sauteing tomatoes till soft

16. Add 1 to 1.5 cups chopped mixed veggies like cauliflower, potato, carrots and green peas.

mix veggies added

17. Stir and mix well. Saute the veggies for a minute.

stir and sauteing veggies

18. Then add the roasted moong dal.

roasted moong dal added

19. Saute for 2 minutes on a low heat.

sauteing veggie and moong dal

20. Next add the soaked rice.

rice added

21. Stir and mix the rice grains gently with the rest of the ingredients.

mixing rice with veggies and dal mixture

22. Add ½ teaspoon sugar and salt as required.

sugar and salt added

23. Next pour 5 cups water. Stir and mix well. You can slightly alter the amount of water depending upon the consistency you prefer.

water added

24. Then pressure cook for 4 to 5 whistles on medium to high heat.

pressure cooking Bengali khichdi

25. Once the pressure settles down on its own, then only open the lid of the cooker.

pressure cooked Bengali khichdi

30. Serve the Bengali khichdi hot or warm with baingan bhaja or yogurt and some roasted papads by the side. You can garnish it with coriander leaves if you like. It makes for a healthy and wholesome meal.

Bengali khichdi served with baingan bhaja and papad

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bengali khichdi recipe, bhaja muger khichuri, bengali khichuri recipe

Bengali Khichdi

Bhaja muger dal khichuri is one pot meal of rice, moong dal, vegetables that is made during durga puja. Healthy, satvik and wholesome recipe.
4.91 from 20 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Cuisine Bengali, Indian
Course Main Course
Diet Vegetarian
Difficulty Level Moderate
Servings 4
Units

Ingredients

  • 1 cup basmati rice or govind bhog rice
  • 1 cup dhuli moong dal (split and husked moong dal)
  • 3 tablespoon Ghee or 2.5 tablespoon oil
  • 1 inch cinnamon
  • 2 green cardamom
  • 3 cloves
  • 1 tej patta (Indian bay leaf)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds or cumin powder
  • 1 inch grated ginger
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • ½ to ¾ teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1 pinch asafoetida (hing) – optional
  • 2 small tomatoes, chopped (optional)
  • 1 green chili, chopped
  • 2 small to medium potatoes, ½ cup cauliflower and ½ cup green peas or 1 to 1.5 cups of chopped mix vegetables like cauliflower, peas, potatoes and carrots
  • ½ teaspoon sugar or as required – optional
  • rock salt (edible and food grade) or sendha namak as required
  • 5 cups water

Instructions
 

preparation

  • Rinse the rice in fresh water couple of times. Then soak the rice in water for 20 to 30 minutes. After 20 to 30 minutes drain all the water and set the soaked rice aside.
  • In a pan slow roast the moong lentils till they turn light golden and fragrant.
  • Keep on stirring to get uniform and even roasting and browning. Once well roasted then transfer the lentils to a bowl and let them cool at room temperature.
  • When the lentils cool, rinse them in fresh water a few times. Drain all the water and set the lentils aside.

Making khichuri

  • Heat ghee or oil in a 3 litre stovetop pressure cooker.
  • First fry the whole spices on low heat stirring often till they become fragrant – cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, bay leaf and cumin seeds.
  • The cumin seeds should also crackle when frying the spices.
  • Now add the grated ginger and saute for a 5 to 6 seconds or till the raw aroma of the ginger goes away.
  • Add turmeric, red chili powder and asafoetida and saute for 2 to 3 seconds on a low heat.
  • Then add chopped tomatoes and chopped green chilies and saute stirring often till the tomatoes become soft.
  • Add the chopped mixed veggies like potato, cauliflower and peas.
  • Stir and mix well. Saute for a minute on low heat.
  • Add the roasted moong dal and saute for 2 minutes.
  • Next add the soaked rice and stir gently to mix.
  • Pour 5 cups water and add sugar and salt as required.
  • Stir and then pressure cook for 4 to 5 whistles on medium to high heat.
  • Once the pressure settles down on its own, then only open the lid of the cooker.
  • Serve the khichuri hot or warm with baingan bhaja or yogurt and some roasted papads by the side.

Notes

  1. To get a porridge like consistency in the khichdi you can add an additional ½ to 1 cup water.
  2. You can mix vegetables like carrots, potatoes, cauliflower, capsicum, green peas, eggplant, french beans, baby corn, broccoli.
  3. You can scale this recipe to make a small serving or a large serving.
  4. The mung lentils should be in their shelf period. Make sure they are fresh and not aged.

Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)

Nutrition Facts
Bengali Khichdi
Amount Per Serving
Calories 507 Calories from Fat 117
% Daily Value*
Fat 13g20%
Saturated Fat 7g44%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 3g
Cholesterol 29mg10%
Sodium 651mg28%
Potassium 363mg10%
Carbohydrates 81g27%
Fiber 9g38%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 19g38%
Vitamin A 3584IU72%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 1mg67%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 1mg59%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 2mg10%
Vitamin B6 1mg50%
Vitamin C 15mg18%
Vitamin E 1mg7%
Vitamin K 6µg6%
Calcium 78mg8%
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 30µg8%
Iron 4mg22%
Magnesium 42mg11%
Phosphorus 108mg11%
Zinc 1mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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This Bengali Khichdi post from the blog archives first published in October 2013 has been republished and updated on 12 January 2022.

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Welcome to Dassana's Veg Recipes. I share vegetarian recipes from India & around the World. Having been cooking for decades and with a professional background in cooking & baking, I help you to make your cooking journey easier with my tried and tested recipes showcased with step by step photos & plenty of tips & suggestions.

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30 Comments

  1. Hi Dassana
    I tried this recipe wirh only tomatoes, as I didn’t have the rest of the veggies. But it turned out super well. This recipe is to keep. Thanks5 stars

    1. Thanks Sujata and nice to know. Also thanks for the lovely feedback and for the rating too.

  2. Hi Dassana .. I always follow your recipes and have always got the best compliments from friends .. I am planning to make this for tomorrow’s Lakshmi Puja .. can you please tell me if rock salt is mandatory , or can I use white salt instead?

    Thanks in advance!

    1. thank you neeta. i would suggest to use rock salt. but if you do not have it, then you can use white salt.

  3. The recipe came out pretty authentic.anyways most of recipes are fool proof ..thanks a ton5 stars

    1. thank you nupur for this lovely feedback and the rating as well. happy cooking.

  4. Absolute authentic bengali kichudi. I made it and it was loved by all at home. Thank you so much!5 stars

    1. Welcome Sushmita. Glad to know that everyone liked this Bengali Kichudi Recipe.

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