By Aditi Saraswat
July 2, 2026
When you want to have something light but also do not want to skip on having a proper meal, masala khichdi is the solution. Filled with rice, dal, vegetables, and light spices, this khichdi is satisfying and light on the stomach. It is best for days when your appetite tends to drop.
½ cup rice ½ cup moong dal (split yellow lentils) 1 tbsp ghee 1 tsp cumin seeds 1 pinch asafoetida (hing) 1 tsp grated ginger 1 green chilli, finely chopped 1 medium onion, chopped 1 tomato, chopped ¼ cup peas ¼ cup diced carrots ¼ tsp turmeric ½ tsp red chilli powder 1 tsp coriander powder ½ tsp garam masala Salt to taste 4 cups water Fresh coriander for garnish
Wash the rice and moong dal thoroughly, then soak them for at least 15 to 20 minutes, so that they get cooked fast and evenly.
In a pressure cooker, heat ghee and add cumin, hing, ginger, and green chilli to it. Sauté it until they turn aromatic and then cook onions until they turn golden.
To this, now add tomatoes, peas, carrots, turmeric, chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala, and salt. Cook until the tomatoes turn soft and the masala seems to have cooked.
Drain the soaked rice and dal, add them to the prepared masala, and mix so that they soak up the flavours before you add water.
Pour in four cups of water, close the lid of the cooker, and pressure cook for three whistles.
Let the pressure release naturally. Then open the cooker, garnish with fresh coriander and serve hot with a spoonful of ghee, curd, pickle, and roasted papad.