Palak Khichdi recipe is a one-pot healthy and nutritious rice preparation made with yellow moong lentils, rice and palak (spinach).
This is an easy-to-make, simple, beginner-friendly, healthy dish.
About Palak Khichdi
Palak khichdi is a perfect one-pot meal for busy weeknights.
This is a healthy variation of moong dal khichdi which is easy to whip up after a long work day.
This is a wholesome vegetarian dish often served with a side of pickle or besan kadhi making it an amazingly flavourful and satisfying meal.
what is khichdi?
Khichdi also called khichri is a healthy and nutritious porridge-like Indian comfort food made with rice and lentils.
This variation of simple moong dal khichdi packed with fresh palak (spinach) gives that extra boost of flavour to this dish.
At home, we love to serve this palak khichdi topped with a dollop of ghee, along with a side dish of Maharashtrian Kadhi, fried papad, and spicy mango pickle.
This makes a perfect weeknight meal.
This palak khichdi can be made in a pressure cooker on the stovetop or in an instant pot.
This dish is a great way to include more greens into meals, especially for infants and toddlers.
The simplicity of this nutritious dish makes it a perfect choice for those who are new to cooking or want to prepare something delicious without much effort.
Recipe Video
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ingredients
Palak (Spinach) โ To make this palak khichdi, we need to blanch palak for 5 minutes. Drain the water and immerse the leaves in cold water. Add the leaves to the blender and grind to a smooth paste.
Rice โ I have used basmati rice for making this khichdi, you may also use short-grain rice too.
Yellow Moong Dal (Lentils) โ We will need a cup of yellow moong dal (yellow mung lentils) to make this khichdi.
Vegetables โ For this recipe, I have used only onions and tomatoes. You may as well use vegetables like green peas, carrots, mushrooms, and potatoes for extra nutrition and flavour.
Spices & Herbs โ We will require, finely chopped garlic, ginger, and green chillies. We will also add some whole spices like cinnamon (dalchini), cloves (lavang), cumin seeds, curry leaves and dry red chillies
Powdered Spices โ We will add red chilli powder, turmeric powder, garam masala powder, coriander powder and hing (asafoetida).
Salt to taste
Oil โ We will need 2 tablespoons of oil.
For Tadka:
We will need thinly sliced garlic and Kashmiri red chilli powder. We will make the tadka in ghee. For the vegan option, you may use oil instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Palak Khichdi healthy?
Yes, palak khichdi (spinach khichdi) is nutritious and very healthy. Itโs a good source of iron, protein and fiber in one bowl.
Is Palak Khichdi suitable for kids?
Yes, this khichdi makes a perfect meal for kids. This makes a great way to include green in your kidโs meal. Adjust the spice level when making for kids.
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, for a healthier option you can make this khichdi with brown rice. However, brown rice takes a longer time to cook.
What can I serve with Palak Khichdi?
You can serve this palak khichdi with plain yogurt (curd), raita, besan kadhi, papad, salad and spicy Indian pickle.
Variations
Adding Vegetables โ You can add chopped vegetables like green peas, carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, beans for that extra nutrition, taste and texture.
Adding Paneer โ You may also add fried cubes of paneer or tofu to make it more protein-rich and filling.
Adding Peanuts โ You can also add raw soaked peanuts to give that crunch to this spinach khichdi.
Serving Suggestions
Palak khichdi is best served with a bowl of plain yogurt or with raita.
You can serve this khichdi with spicy Indian pickles, papad, besan kadhi, or a refreshing cucumber salad.
Boondi raita also pairs best with this palak khichdi.
Product link for โ Serving Kadhai
Storage Options
Palak Khichdi stays good for up to 2-3 days. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Reheat before serving. You can reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop. Add a little water to bring it back to its original consistency.
Related Recipes
Dal Palak (Spinach Lentil Curry)
More Rice Recipes
Valachi Khichdi (Dalimbi Bhaat), Tendli Rice (Ivy Gourd Rice), Tawa Pulao (Pav Bhaji Pilaf), Lemon Rice (Chitranna)
How To Make Palak Khichdi with step-by-step video recipe.
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Recipe Card
Palak Khichdi Recipe (spinach Khichdi) | Palak Dal Khichdi | How to Make Palak Khichdi
Ingredientsย ย
Making Plain Khichdi
- 1.5 cups Basmati Rice
- 1 cup Yellow Moong Dal
- 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- Salt to taste
Making Palak Khichdi
- 1 teaspoon Cumin Seeds
- 1/2 inch Cinamon Stick (Dalchini)
- 3 Cloves (Lavang)
- 1 teaspoon Ginger, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Garlic, finely chopped
- 2 Green Chillies, finely chopped
- 1/4th teaspoon Hing (Asafoetida)
- 4-5 Curry Leaves
- 2 Dry Red Chililes
- 2 Onions, finely chopped
- 1 Tomato, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
- 1 teaspoon Coriander Powder
- 1 teaspoon Garam Masala Powder
- 1 cup Blanched Palak Puree (Spinach Puree)
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons Oil
Making Lasooni Tadka (Garlic Tadka)
- 1 teaspoon Ghee
- 5 Cloves Garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder
Instructionsย
To Cook Plain Khichdi
- Wash basmati rice and yellow moong dal 3-4 times till water runs relatively clear.
- Add 3 cups of water. Add turmeric powder & salt to taste.
- Mix well and pressure cook for 5-6 whistles.
- Plain Khichdi is ready.
Making Palak Khichdi
- Heat oil, add cumin seeds and let them sizzle. Add a small piece of cinamon and 3 cloves. Saute for 30 seconds.
- Add finely chopped ginger, garlic and green chilles. Saute till raw smell of ginger & garlic fades away.
- Add hing, curry leaves and dry red chillies, sautรฉ for another 30 seconds.
- Add finely chopped onions and cook till translucent.
- Add finely chopped tomato. Cover & cook till tomato softens.
- Let's add spices: Add red chilli powder, coriander powder & garam masala powder.
- Add 1/4th cup water to prevent spices from burning.
- Mix well and cook spices till oil seperates from edges.
- Add blanched palak puree (spinach puree), salt to taste and mix well.
- Cook palak for 2 minutes.
- Add the cooked plain khichdi and give it a mix. Add 1/4th cup of water. Adjust the amount of water as per your preference.
- Khichdi is normally on a softer poridge like consistency. Hence add water accordingly.
- Cover and let khichdi simmer fro 3-4 minutes.
Mean while let's make the tadka.
- Heat a teaspoon of ghee.
- Once hot, add finely sliced garlic and let them fry till they turn crisp.
- Add kashmiri red chilli powder and mix well.
- Pour this tadka on the khichdi and mix well. Keep some takda aside for garnish (optional).
- Delicious Palak Khichdi is ready.
- Serve it along with spicy pickle, papad and kadhi.
