Tips for non sticky perfect sabudana (sago pearls) khichdi
During fasting Sabudana is commonly eaten. Sago Khichdi can be prepared using two types of Sabudana - large and small. This recipe uses small sized pearl Sabudana.
Tips
-Khichdi which looks and tastes very simple is actually very tricky to cook. The basic and important thing to be very careful about is to soak Sabudana correctly.
-If you soak Sabudana in excess water then it will turn mushy and sticky.
-Addition of peanut powder and crushed peanuts in the recipe not only adds to the taste but also adds a nice crunch and texture to the khichdi .
-In a bowl mix Sago with roasted peanut powder ,crushed peanuts and salt . This process of mixing the peanut powder will make sure that the sago (Khichdi) will not become sticky while cooking.
-If you want to add boiled potatoes in it then add salt while boiling the potatoes as they will absorb the salt and make it tasty. You can add fried potatoes also in it.
Drain soaked Sabudana well. If drained properly then it would not be sticky.
Preferably use a flat bottomed vessel for soaking.
The soaked Sabudana pearls should remain separate when you take
some in your hands . This is crucial for that perfect Khichdi texture.
Ingredients
Sabudana (sago pearls)
Sabudana – 3/4 th cup
Water for soaking sabudana – ½ cup
Cumin seeds – ½ tsp
Grated ginger – 1 tsp
Green chillies(optional) – 1 tsp
Boiled or fried potatoes – ½ cup
Roasted peanut powder – ½ cup
Crushed peanut – 1/4 th cup
Lemon juice – 2tsp
Salt according to your taste
Desi ghee - 2-3 tbs
Chopped Coriander leaves – 1/4 th cup
Method:
Wash Sabudana under running cold water till water runs clear.
Soak the ¾ cup of sabudana in ½ cup of water for 4-5 hours ( Please do not add excess water for soaking. Follow the tips strictly for non sticky khichdi) . After 4-5 hours you will find perfectly puffed up sabudana pearls. All the water added must have been used up by sabudana but still strain the sabudana through a strainer to get rid of starch or left out water.
Lets check if Sabudana is properly soaked or not. When you press one soaked pearl between your finger and thumb it should mash very easily without any effort.
Boil the potato and chop them, keep it aside or you can chop and fry them also.
Take a pan, heat oil in it and fry the cumin seeds . Now add green chillies and grated ginger in it . sauté it. Add boiled and chopped potatoes and saute it further for 1-2 minutes.
Meanwhile add roasted powder of peanuts and crushed peanuts in Sabudana and add salt also according to taste.
Now add this mixture in pan and mix well on low flame. Stir it continuously until you see some of the sago pearls turning transparent. It will take around 2-3 minutes.
Add chopped green coriander in it.
Garnish it with whole pieces of fried peanuts, cilantro,tomato slices, green chilly etc. While serving add lemon juice in it.
Serve it with whipped curd.
Do try it next time and let me know how you liked it.
Share it with your friends also.
Dr. Suman setia BAMS DNHE PGDHHM