Khichdi (dish)
 Khichdi | |
| Place of origin | India |
|---|---|
| Region or state | Gujarat |
| Main ingredients | Rice, lentils, spices |
Khichdi (also khichri, khichdee, khichadi, khichuri, khichari and many other variants) (Hindi: खिचड़ी khicaṛī, Urdu: کھچڑی khicṛī, Bengali: খিচুরী khichuri) is an Indian food preparation made from rice and lentils (dal). Khichdi is commonly considered to be a comfort food, and was the inspiration for the Anglo-Indian dish of Kedgeree.
Regional variations
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.
Khichdi is a very popular dish across India and Bangladesh. The dish is widely prepared in many Indian states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Bengal (where it is called Bengali: খিচুরী khichuri). Vegetables such as cauliflower, potato, and green peas are commonly added. A popular variant in coastal Maharashtra is made with prawns.
In Bengali tradition it is customary to cook khichuri (Bengali: খিচুরী) on rainy days. It is also traditional in Bengal to cook khichuri as a lunch at the Saraswati Puja during the month of February - the invocation of the goddess of learning - and for other popular pujas such as Durga Puja.
While khichuri is cooked as a rather rich gourmet delicacy in Bengal, it is cooked very differently in northern and western India, where it is considered a very plain bland dish usually served to people who are ill. 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 "adult" food. Khichdi is also popular in Pakistan. It is especially cooked for children and people with stomach problems as it is easily digestible compared to other Pakistani dishes which usually have meat and are also spicy. Although it has a similar name, khichra is actually a variation of haleem and is not to be confused with Khichri.
Khichdi is also a favourite campfire food owing to the convenience of being able to cook the dish in a single simmering pot.
Khichdi when well cooked with little oil is considered as a light and nutritious dish and is especially popular amongst many who follow an ayurvedic diet practices or nature cure.
In popular culture
In India, the term khichdi is also used broadly to imply a mishmash or a mixture of sorts, similar to hodge-podge in English and khichuri (rice dish made of rice, dal with or without vegetables, meat) in Bangla. 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 very popular dish of Surtis (South Gujarat). It is served with special kadhi and adon dishes are Surati Undhia, Vangan Na Ravaiya, etc.
Khichdi is also the name of a popular comedy TV series in India.
See also
- Kushari, the Egyptian equivalent
- Congee, a type of rice porridge eaten in many Asian countries
- Kedgeree, the Anglo-Indian version
- Khichra
