'Khichdi' (also ''khichdee'', ''khichadi'', ''khichuri'', ''khichari'' and many other variants) is an Indian dish that contains a combination of
rice and
lentils. It is commonly considered to be
India's
comfort food. ''Khichdi'' is also the first solid that babies are introduced to. Rice and lentils are simmered till mushy, seasoned with turmeric and salt and fed to infants to introduce them to "people food".
''Khichdi'' is also the main food item that is served to recovering patients. It is also the favourite campfire food owing to the convenience of being able to cook ''khichdi'' in a single simmering pot.
''Khichdi'' is a very popular dish in eastern, northern and western India. The dish is widely prepared in many Indian states like
Gujarat,
Maharashtra and
Bengal. Addition of vegetables such as
cauliflower,
potato, and green
peas is very common. In
Bengali tradition it is customary to cook ''khichdi'' during rainy days.
It is traditional in Bengal to cook ''khichdi'' as a lunch at the
Saraswati Puja during the month of February - the invocation of the goddess of learning. It is also customary to cook ''khichdi'' for lunch in other popular pujas such as
Durga Puja.
While ''khichdi'' is cooked as a rather rich and delectable delicacy in Bengal, it is cooked very differently in North and Western India - a very plain dish that is normally associated with bland taste and diet for people when sick.
''Khichdi'' when well cooked with little oil is considered as a light and nutritious dish and is especially popular amongst many who follow ayurvedic diet practices or nature cure.
Another form of ''khichdi'', popular mostly in western Maharashtra, is made with prawns.
In India, the term ''khichdi'' is also used broadly to imply a mish-mash or a mixture of sorts. For example, a classifieds portal in India goes by the name khichdee.com because it is a "mixture" of advertisements of all types.
''Khichdi'' is commonly served with another Indian dish called "kadhi". Other common accompaniments are
papads,
beguni (deep fried
eggplants in a
besan batter),
ghee (clarified butter),
achar (oil based pickle), and
yoghurt.
See also
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Kedgeree, a British dish that was originally based on ''khichdi''
★
Congee, a type of rice porridge eaten in many Asian countries
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Khichdi(HINDI) is also name of a popular comedy TV serial in India.
Trivia
Khichdi has been described identifiably as such in
the writings of
Afansy Nikitin, a Russian adventurer
who had travelled to the Indian subcontinent in the
15th century.
External links
★
Get free Recipe for kichdi
★
Recipe for Khichdi