7 Popular Varieties of Khichdi From Across India You Must Try

Khichdi has been an integral part of Indian cuisine since ancient times. The word has its roots in the Sanskrit word “khichcha”, which is a dish cooked with rice and lentils. This humble dish has sated our hunger pangs whenever we’ve craved something light and has given us much-needed comfort on days when we haven’t felt our best. Not just this, khichdi is also extremely versatile and offers numerous health benefits. We Indians love this one pot dish so much that you will find different types of khichdi in different states of the country. Today we bring you a list of popular khichdi recipes from across India that you must try. Just have a look

Read also: 5 Dal Khichdi Recipes You Can Make For A Nutritious And Delicious Meal

Here are 7 popular varieties of Khichdi from different Indian states:

1. Millet Khichdi, Rajasthan

A staple dish in almost every Rajasthani household, bajra khichdi is quite unique as it does not use any rice. Unlike other parts of India, where rice is the main ingredient in khichdi, Rajasthani khichdi is made from bajra (millet). It is usually served with garlic chutney, homemade pickle and curd. Some people also garnish this khichdi with dry fruits. Click here for the recipe.

2. Gujarati Khichdi, Gujarat

This rich and delicious dish has a history attached to it. It is believed that Sultan Ahmed Shah I, the founder of Ahmedabad, loved khichdi so much that he used to eat it every day. It is now prevalent across the state and comes in various forms like sweet, salty and with or without vegetables. This khichdi is usually served with sweet Gujarati kadhi.

3. Bihari Khichdi, Bihar

One of the most popular dishes of the state, Bihari Khichdi is made with ingredients like rice, moong dal, ginger, chillies and urad dal. A tempering of ghee and asafoetida is applied over it. This dish becomes even more popular during Makar Sankranti celebrations. Bihari khichdi is best enjoyed with choka, a dish made of mashed potatoes and brinjals.

4. BC Belle Bath, Karnataka

Bisi Bele Bath is a popular comfort food dish from Karnataka. It is a flavourful, spicy and slightly tangy dish made from rice, lentils, mixed vegetables and an aromatic spice mix. Bisi Bele Bath is very similar to Khichdi and is a nutritious food. Pour some desi ghee on top to enjoy its taste. For the recipe of Bisi Bele Bhaat, click here.

5. Khichdi, West Bengal

The first thing that comes to mind when the name of Bengal is mentioned is macher jhol, rasgulla and biryani. But did you know that Bengal has its own version of Khichdi? Khichdi, as it is popularly known by the locals, has a porridge-like texture and is made from rice, moong dal, ginger and copious amounts of desi ghee. It has a slightly sweet taste and is best enjoyed with tomato chutney and fried hilsa fish. Click here for the Khichdi recipe.

Read also: Bengali food: 7 Bengali curries that hold our hearts (recipes inside)

6. Pongal, Tamil Nadu

Pongal, also known as Pongali or Haggi, is Tamil Nadu’s version of Khichdi. It is generally made during the celebration of the harvest season and is available in both spicy and sweet forms. Chakrai Pongal, which is sweet, is filled with roasted dry fruits. On the other hand, Ven Pongal is a bit spicy and is loaded with ground black pepper. Click here for the Pongal recipe.

7. Keema Khichdi, Andhra Pradesh

Keema Khichdi is the only non-vegetarian version of Khichdi in the list. This khichdi was made by the Nizams of Hyderabad and tastes very similar to Hyderabadi Biryani; However, it is cooked differently. Keema Khichdi is extremely nutritious and is usually served with ‘khatta’, a sour side dish somewhat similar to salan.

so what are you waiting for? Try these khichdi recipes and let us know which was your favorite in the comments below.