Cracked Wheat Khichdi

Cracked wheat is something we discovered lately. Actually, as a kid, I used to eat it every morning for breakfast. Mummy used to cook it with milk, add some sugar and serve it. I didn’t like it at all but it kept the hunger pangs away until lunch time. Back then, I had a hearty appetite and used to wolf down healthy quantities of food…:-)

Coming back to cracked wheat, Pinch and I discovered that when cooked, it didn’t taste vastly different from cooked rice and could be eaten with dal and sabzi. Then we started experimenting with it and cracked wheat khichdi is what we came up with. It is very simple to make and also is highly satisfying and nourishing when eaten hot. Also, it is quite light and does not weigh down your stomach at all. I cook it in ghee from Purity International. Earlier, I used to use the Indian brands of ghee while cooking dal, khichdi, etc. but I never really liked either the taste or the smell. This ghee is wonderful and tastes/smells almost like what my Mom used to make back home.

To the recipe… For the two of us, I use 3/4 cup of cracked wheat. Since I add vegetables as well, it ends up being just right for dinner. Ingredients to add in the tadka: chopped ginger, chopped green chillies, cumin seeds, mustard seeds.

Off late, I have started cooking khichdi directly in the pressure cooker even though we have an electric burner that causes a high risk of the food sticking to the bottom of the cooker. Thankfully, it has not stuck so far and hopefully, the luck should continue!

Place the pressure cooker on the gas and turn it on. When you feel that it is suitably hot, pour a teaspoon of ghee in it. I have learnt that adding ghee to a heated vessel is MUCH better than pouring it into a cold vessel and waiting for it to heat. Throw in the cumin seeds, green chillies, mustard seeds and ginger.

Saute it all the while to ensure that it gets cooked and does not burn. Also, add in some turmeric for the colour and taste. Then add the tomatoes and continue to saute. For vegetables, I usually add chopped green beans and carrots. I think green peas can also be added. Any other suggestions?

After you have stirred the veggies, add the cracked wheat.

Make sure that you have washed it a few times. Stir again so that nothing is stuck to the bottom.

Now add 2.5 cups of water, salt to taste, shut the pressure cooker, add the whistle on it. Wait till you hear two whistles and then turn it off. Open it after a while and voila!

There you have the most nourishing meal for a Monday night and in less than two hours, it would have been well-digested and you can go to bed feeling light and easy!

x-posted to desifood