Bajra Khichdi – Pearl Millet Khichdi

This Bajra or Pearl Millet Khichdi is a warm and nutritious recipe prepared with pearl millet, moong dal, vegetables and some basic spices in Instant Pot Pressure cooker.Bajra is the hindi word for pearl millet.It is quick and easier to make in pressure cooker.

You can serve this khichdi with yogurt or can be eaten as it is.I prefer eating with kadhi.Also some pickle and papad on the side too! 

Other healthy Khichdi recipes to try from my blog are Vegetable Khichdi ,Palak Khichdi ,Pongal.

Bajra khichdi tastes really good with vegetables and you will get a slight chewy texture from the bajra.Bajra is heaty in nature so it is good to consume in limits and best when consumed in winters.This dish is one of the staple food in the regions of Rajasthan, India.

These days you can easily find millets in Indian grocery stores.I found broken pearl millets (Shastha foods brand) packet which takes very less time for cooking.

Incase you dont find broken pearl millet no worries take 1/2 cup pearl millet(bajra) in a grinder jar.Grind the bajra coarsely using pulse option. Some grains will be crushed and some won’t be thats ok.

Now take coarsely ground bajra and add water to cover it and let it sit for a minute.The fine husk particles will be seen floating on the top of the water. Discard the water slowly from the bowl. Repeat this process twice.

MORE HEALTHY MILLET RECIPES Little Millet/Samai Upma ,Kodo Millet Pulao ,Little Millet Upma

WHAT ARE MILLETS?

Millets are Ancient Grains. Mankind has known their nutrition value for centuries. They are naturally gluten – free. Millet can also be used as a healthier alternative to rice , as well as in salad recipes or as a side dish.

Pearl Millet is rich in essential compounds like protein, fibre, phosphorous, magnesium and iron. Due to its rich composition of minerals and proteins, Pearl Millet has many health benefits.- Source

Pearl millet is very powerful in controlling diabetes. Because of its high fibre content, it tends to digest slowly and release glucose at a slower rate as compared to other foods. This helps in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels for a long period of time

PEARL MILLET IN INDIAN LANGUAGES

• Hindi / Punjabi / Bengali / Odia – Bajra
• Kannada – Sajje
• Marathi/Gujarati – Bajri
• Telugu – Sajja
• Tamil – Kambu

TIPS & VARIATIONS TO MAKE PEARL MILLET KHICHDI:

1. To prepare the pearl bajra khichdi, soak the millet for at least 1 hour in water. This step is mandatory.
2. The water ratio in this recipe is 4 times the millets and lentils together which makes a soft, porridge like consistency for the final dish.
3. I have used split moong dal without skin . You can use split green moong dal as well.
4. Replace pearl millet with other grains like foxtail millet, kodo millet ,quinoa, rice for few more variations of khichdi.
5. You can use seasonal vegetables and green leafy of your choice like pumpkin ,potatoes, sweet potatoes ,methi leaves.
6. When adding vegetables to the khichdi, cut into large chunks because of increased pressure cooking time.

Also check my Kids Lunch Box Series Posts

Bajra Khichdi + Yogurt + Dates

HOW TO MAKE BAJRA KHICHDI IN INSTANT POT STEP BY STEP

Soak broken and cleaned bajra in water for one hour.

Press SAUTE mode(Normal) on Instant Pot. Add ghee or oil in to the POT.Note:Tastes better with Ghee

Once POT is hot add in the Cumin(Jeera), Asafetida, ginger, green chillies. Saute for 20 secs.

Add mixed vegetables, cook for a minute.

Then add soaked bajra, split moong dal (lentil) (no need to soak the lentil just rinse it and add it to the pressure cooker),turmeric powder, coriander powder, water, salt.Mix well.

Close the lid on the pot, and turn pressure valve to SEALING position.Press CANCEL button on Instant Pot.Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) and set timer to 8 minutes.Wait for NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE(NPR).

Once the pressure has released, open the lid, garam masala powder ,chopped spinach(palak) , cilantro and mix khichdi well.

**Note: If khichdi is not mushy or too dry then select saute mode and add additional 1/2 cup of water and cook for another minute.

Instant Pot Bajra Vegetable Khichdi is ready, serve with yogurt, raita or kadhi.

STOVE TOP PRESSURE COOKER METHOD:

Soak bajra in water for one hour.

Heat 1 tablespoon of ghee or oil in a pressure cooker and Once its hot add in the Cumin(jeera), asafetida, ginger, green chillies. Saute for 20 secs.

Add mixed vegetables, cook for a minute..

Then add soaked bajra, split moong dal (lentil) (no need to soak the lentil just rinse it and add it to the pressure cooker),turmeric powder, coriander powder, water, salt.Mix well.

Close the lid and put the whistle weight on. Cook for 3-4 whistles on medium flame and turn off the gas.

Once the pressure has released completely, open the lid, add garam masala powder ,spinach ,cilantro/coriander leaves and Mix the mixture well.

If Bajra Vegetable Khichdi is not mushy or too dry then add 1/2 cup of water and adjust to khichdi consistency.

Bajra Khichdi recipe is ready, serve with yogurt, raita or kadhi.

IF YOU LIKED THIS YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

• Dal Tadka – Dal prepared with split pigeon peas lentils ,assorted spices
• Green Lentil Soup – lentil soup made with green lentils, carrots, celery, red bell pepper and indian spices
• Spinach Dal / Palak Dal – Dhal cooked with spinach leaves
• Panchmel dal – dal prepared with five varieties of lentils
• Aloo beans – Potato Beans stir fry with few spices

BAJRA KHICHDI RECIPE CARD

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