Chilka Urad Dal Khichdi Recipe for Makar Sankranti and Ganga Sanaan | How to make Urad Dal Khichdi
It is a simple delicious one pot meal enjoyed with Raita/Buttermilk, salad and pickle.
- About the Recipe
- What is Khichdi
- Urad Dal Khichdi for Makar Sankranti and Ganga Sanaan
- How to make Chilka Urad Dal Khichdi for Makar Sankranti
- Recipe Card for Chilka Urad Dal Khichdi in Stove top Pressure Cooker
- Chilka Urad Dal Khichdi for Makar Sankranti (Pressure Cooker)
- Recipe Card for Urad Dal Khichdi in Instant Pot
- Serving Suggestion
- More Makar Sankranti Recipes
About the Recipe
Khichdi with Chilka Urad/Split Urad Dal and Rice is made during the auspicious festival of Makar Sankranti in North Indian States (Uttar Pradesh, Haryana).
Urad dal has special significance on Makar Sankranti. Also, it is is good to consume in winters as it adds heat to body.
It is a no on onion no garlic khichdi/satvik.
What is Khichdi
Khichdi a dish made of rice and dal (lentils) or millets, in ghee (Indian Clarified butter) and herbs like Cilantro/Coriander and vegetables with very few spices is one the most comforting, light on stomach and detox food. It nourishes and cleanses the body by flushing out the toxins. It forms the part of the Satvik diet and best recommended for children, elderly people and those who are suffering from any kind of stomach related problems. There are many forms of Khichdi, as different lentils/millets can be used in combination with rice.
Urad Dal Khichdi for Makar Sankranti and Ganga Sanaan
Like Til and Gur have their significance on Makar Sankranti, Urad Dal Khichdi is Makar Sankranti special in Uttar Pradesh(India). Donating this Khichdi mix (rice grains and urad dal/lentil mix) along with jaggery/gur to priests in temples and needy is considered auspicious. People also cook it and consume it on this day.
To know more about Makar Sankranti, pls see the post.. Til and Khus Khus Chikki with Coconut Sugar.
This Khichdi is also made and consumed during another auspicious occasion Ganga Sanan/Kartik Poornima. It falls after 14-15 days after Diwali. People take dip in holy water of Ganga.
During Makar Sankranti, mom always made this khichdi and we enjoyed it with some buttermilk, gur and radish.
Significance of Makar Sankranti
The period when Makar Sankranti is celebrated, time of the year marks one of the most auspicious time of the the year and Sun God is worshipped as this period marks the transition of Sun from winter period to longer days. Harvest festivals that India celebrates during this time of the year, Lohri in Punjab, Makar Sankranti in Northern and Western India, Pongal in Southern parts and Bihu in eastern parts of India.
How to make Chilka Urad Dal Khichdi for Makar Sankranti
Checkout the detail recipe steps to cook Khichdi in Pressure Cooker(Indian Style) and the video in recipe card.
- The method for preparation remains the same for both the methods (stove top Pressure Cooker and Instant Pot).
- Using ghee for this Khichdi is recommended but you can also use any oil of your choice. Replacing ghee with oil makes it suitable for vegans.
- Also, to make it gluten-free omit hing/asafetida from it.
- Do not forget to add ginger, as it lends not only great taste but also adds on to the Ayurvedic benefits of this khichdi and makes it easily digestible.
- Add turmeric if you want. We skip it and don't add to this Khichdi.
- Also, you can add vegetables like potato, carrots, peas, cauliflower etc.
Recipe Card for Chilka Urad Dal Khichdi in Stove top Pressure Cooker
Chilka Urad Dal Khichdi for Makar Sankranti (Pressure Cooker)
Ingredients
- ½ Cup Basmati Rice
- ½ Cup Chilka Urad Dal/Split Black Gram Lentil
- 1 Tbsp Desi Ghee
- ¼ tsp Hing/Asafeotida
- 1 Tsp Cumin Seeds
- 1 tbsp Ginger+Green Chilli paste/finely chopped
- ½ tsp Turmeric Powder optional
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Soak together rice and urad dal for around half an hour.½ Cup Basmati Rice, ½ Cup Chilka Urad Dal/Split Black Gram Lentil
- Take a pressure cooker, add ghee to it. When the ghee is warm enough, add hing to it, followed by jeera(cumin seeds).1 Tbsp Desi Ghee, ¼ tsp Hing/Asafeotida, 1 Tsp Cumin Seeds
- Let the jeera brown a little, add chopped ginger and chillies. You can also crush together ginger and chillies and make a coarse paste.1 tbsp Ginger+Green Chilli paste/finely chopped
- Add rice and dal, turmeric powder. and salt and mix.½ tsp Turmeric Powder, Salt to taste
- Add enough water to cook rice and dal (about 1" above rice and dal), put the pressure cooker lid and cook till 2-3 whistles on medium flame.
- Wait till the pressure releases. Open the lid and check for the doneness of Khichdi. All the water should evaporate, and rice and dal should be soft.
- Check for the consistency of Khichdi, adjust water if required. Add ¼ cup more water if you don't want it dry kind and cook for 2-3 mins more. Keep stirring in between. Or, if there is more water, cook for another 2-3 mins.
- Enjoy hot Khichdi with curd/yogurt/buttermilk. Add more ghee to enhance the taste.
Video
Notes
Recipe Card for Urad Dal Khichdi in Instant Pot
Serving Suggestion
Best enjoyed hot just out of the cooker, with a spoonful of ghee on top and a bowl of curd, raita or a glass of buttermilk/chaas. Make this Khichdi on the auspicious day of Sankranti for lunch and enjoy this satvik meal with your loved ones!!
Raita to serve with Khichdi
Boondi Raita, Bathua Raita, Palak Raita, Lauki Raita, Mixed vegetable Raita, Ash Gourd Raita
We love it in Winters with Turmeric Pickle, Shalgam, Gajar aur Gobhi ka Achar
More Makar Sankranti Recipes
Check out other Makar Sankranti and Lohri recipes from the blog.. Murmura Ladoo and Tilkut, Mixed Nut Gur Chikki, Til and Khus Khus Chikki in Coconut Sugar.
Chilka Urad Dal Khichdi in Instant Pot
Ingredients
- ½ Cup Basmati Rice
- ½ Cup Chilka Urad Dal/Split Black Gram Lentil
- 1 tbsp Desi Ghee
- ½ tsp Hing/ Asafetida
- 1 tsp Jeera/Cumin Seeds
- 1 tbsp Ginger+ Green Chilli paste/finely chopped
- ½  tsp  Turmeric Powder optional
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Soak Lentils and Rice for at least half and hour before cooking.½ Cup Basmati Rice, ½ Cup Chilka Urad Dal/Split Black Gram Lentil
- Finely chop or make a coarse paste of ginger and green chillies.1 tbsp Ginger+ Green Chilli paste/finely chopped
- Set the sauté mode on and adjust the temperature to high. When the ghee/oil is hot, add asafoetida and cumin seeds and saute.Â1 tbsp Desi Ghee, ½ tsp Hing/ Asafetida, 1 tsp Jeera/Cumin Seeds
- Add rice and lentils and salt and mix. Add water above 1 inches above the khichdi. You can add Turmeric also in this step.½  tsp  Turmeric Powder optional, Salt to taste
- Also, add chopped vegetables(potatoes, carrots, peas, cauliflower etc) if you want.
- Cancel the saute mode and set on the pressure cooker mode. Close the lid and set the timer to 5 minutes(high) and start the timer.
- Once done, wait for another 5 minutes and then release the pressure(quick release pressure). Â
- Check for the consistency of Khichdi, adjust water if required. Add ¼ cup more water if you don't want it dry kind and cook for 2-3 mins more. Keep stirring in between. Or, Cook in Sauté Mode for another 2-3 mins if there is more water.
- Enjoy hot Khichdi with curd/yogurt/buttermilk. Add more ghee to enhance the taste.
Notes
Stepwise pics to make Urad Dal Khichdi in Instant Pot
Taking it to Angie's #258 Fiesta Friday, co-hosted this week by Laurena @ Life Diet Health.
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Swati
Seema Doraiswamy Sriram
This is a valuable recipe, Swathi. We have something similar but surely yours looks so flavourful.
Preethi Prasad
This super healthy Kichidi looks tempting.A comfort food anytime .Fantastic share .
Swati
Thanks Preethi!!
Sujata Shukla
Such a simple recipe and yet the results are so tasty! I love this khichdi, its proper comfort food on cold days! lovely share, Swati!
Veena Krishnakumar
Wow!!This khicdi with chilka is very healthy and nutritious. Lovely recipe
Sasmita Sahoo Samanta
Khichdi using chilke wali urad dal is something lovely way to add into our diet ! Lovely pick for theme Swati 🙂
Swati
Thanks dear!!?
poonampagar
Khichdi with a dollop of ghee is a soulful foof for us Indians. Never tried urad dal khichdi though. Thanks for the share Swati. Would love to give it a try.
mayurisjikoni
Lovely healthy dish of satisfying khichdi. I make khichdi using different lentils but have not tried making it with urad dal. I must try it as it looks so yum. Nice to know about the Makar Sankranti traditions in UP.
Kalyani
brings back memories of having this (not for the festival, though) in Meerut.. the entire set up looks so warm and welcoming, Swati 🙂
themadscientistskitchen
Wow! It is amazing how each region has a different khicihdi recipe. Never heard of urid dal wala khicihdi sound delicious and yet simple to make.
Life Diet Health
Swati this looks like a great recipe - and simple enough for me to make without searching for ingredients! 😀 😛 Thanks for linking with us and sharing at Fiesta Friday (although the link from there didn't work this time?)
Batter Up With Sujata
Wow Swaty khichdi looks really devine. I would love to have it with a dollop of ghee. Happy makar sankranti!!
Vidya Narayan
Swaty, I love dals with skin (chilkewali dal) varieties as they keep you full. I make this often at home as a sattvick dinner option on days when we want to consume food that is light on stomach as well. Absolutely delicious. Wishing you and family a very happy Sankranti.
Megala
Wonderful khichdi using urad dal! We do make something similar for lunch. It is really interesting to find the variations of each dish in every region within India. 🙂
The Girl Next Door
The khichdi looks delectable! This is something very new to me - I have never tried out khichdi using urad daal. Should do that soon. 🙂 Thank you for this authentic recipe!