Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Microwave Sabudana Khichdi

When my parents visited us for a few weeks this summer, my mother cast a critical eye over my undertakings in the kitchen. When I made sabudana khichdi, our favorite Maharashtrian breakfast, the way I normally make it, she pointed out that it is much easier and faster to make this dish in the microwave. You know what, she is right...the biggest challenge with this simple dish is that while cooking, the sabudana (sago pearls) often get too soggy and start clumping together, resulting in an unappetizing mess. We can take advantage of the fact that microwaves work by penetrating through food and heating the water molecules to cook food. Sabudana that is soaked correctly contains enough water that the khichdi cooks efficiently, with a much greater likelihood of perfectly cooked yet well-separated sago pearls. Here it is, sabudana khichdi made ridiculously easy.

I use a glass bowl for all my microwave cooking. While plastic containers may be OK for briefly reheating food in the microwave, I don't use them for actually cooking food in, because high temperatures can cause plastic molecules to leach into the food. I use cheap, sturdy Pyrex glassware that is just perfect for everyday use in the microwave. Microwave times can also vary according to the age and model of the microwave. These worked for me, but may need a little experimentation in other kitchens. This recipes serves 2-3.

Microwave Sabudana Khichdi


1. Soak sabudana (sago pearls) for 3-6 hours. The soaking is a crucial step: I do this by placing 1 cup sabudana in a bowl and just barely covering it with water, then covering it and setting it aside. After soaking, the grains should still feel dry and separate, although they should feel soft and hydrated (a small hard core is OK).
khich1


2. To the soaked sabudana, add 2/3 C crushed toasted peanuts, 1 T sugar and 1 t salt (or to taste).
khich3


3. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 medium boiled cubed potato, 1 t cumin seeds, 1-2 minced green chillies, 1 T ghee and 1 T oil (can use 1-2 T oil or ghee instead of the oil and ghee combination). Microwave for 1.5 mins, or until the cumin seeds sizzle and you can smell a fragrant "tadka".
khich2


4. Stir the soaked sabudana mixture into this bowl.
khich4


5. Microwave for 1 minute, let it stand 2 minutes, stir, and microwave for a minute again. The khichdi should be cooked to perfection! The cooked sabudana look transluscent compared to the opaque uncooked ones. If your microwave has lower power or is old, it may take a minute or two more to cook.
khich5


6. Garnish with fresh shredded coconut and minced cilantro if desired. Stir in some fresh lemon juice, or serve with some yogurt on the side. A delicious way to start the day (and you never even turned on the stove)!
khich6

84 comments:

  1. I am surely going to try this method...I've had more than one instance of goey sabudana gum to go that route again !!

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  2. Who'd have thought! Sabudana khichdi in the MW sounds like a brilliant idea! Thanks N!

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  3. The soaking is a fiasco for me most of the times. Roughly speaking for 1 cup of sago did you add 3/4 cup of water?
    The last snap of khichdi really looks perfect. Am definitely going to try this. Well as soon as I get the water level right ;-)

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  4. Nupur, this is ridiculously easy. I got to try it right away.
    We miss your a-z event, I was always on the look out for the next thing to cook for your event

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  5. i am going to make this. i love sabudana khichdi for breakfast.. so filling and yummy! thanks for sharing this one....

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  6. Perfect example of 'you learn something new everyday'.
    How ironic, isn't it, for your Aai to point out improvements to your old fashioned ways?

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  7. What a nice way to cook khichdi without using stovetop.I will definitely try it out.Thanks for the excellent tips you share.
    Kamakshi

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  8. I'm not familiar with sago pearls, but I gather they're much like tapioca. Since that's usually cooked into a pudding of sorts here, I can imagine trying to keep the pearls separate might be tricky! This sounds really interesting - another of your recipes to add to my very long "to try" list!

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  9. Eeasy peasy lemon squeezy... I love the caramelized bits in the bottom of the pan. But there goes the convenience.

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  10. wow, it looks exactly how it would when its cooked on stove!!

    and to think that your mom told you about using a microwave for this...duh!! makes us look dumb!:) even i have never tried it before...great, thanks for sharing this; it'll save me so much time now!!!

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  11. Hey,
    Does this taste like authentic sabudana khichdi? I am sure going to give this method a try.

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  12. Priya, use less water to soak and you will never have to face gummy khichdi :) Also, some batches of sabudana are just no good so remember that it is not always the cook's fault if sabudana dishes don't work out!

    Roopa, try it out and let me know if it works :)

    Ashwini, I did not measure the amount of water that I used...will do that next time I make this. Try using just enough to come up to the level of the sabudana without actually submerging it. It is surprising how little water is actually needed for soaking this stuff. I think we tend to over-do the submerging business.

    Sreelu, I miss the event too :) Will have to think of something new for Sundays.

    Rajitha, do try it! Soaking apart, I made this breakfast in less than 10 minutes and that felt so good :)

    TheCooker, my aai uses the microwave *very* creatively. Have one more easy MW recipe of hers to share in the coming weeks.

    Kamakshi, I hope you enjoy it :)

    Cathy, sago is similar to tapioca but made from a different plant. This dish is really unlike anything else...I wish I had made it for you! Come visit again soon :)

    Suganya, the caramelized bits..mmm...but this was sooo easy that I am willing to give those up.

    Mansi D, yes, it is incredible how useful the microwave is if we think about it. I confess that I under-utilize mine.

    Swapna, the only difference is the method using for cooking, so yes, it tastes the same as stove-cooked one.

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  13. Jai ho!! Nupur ki mummy ki jai ho!!
    Must try!!

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  14. thanks so much for this lovely recipe. I love sabudana khichdi and this recipe looks easy. :) will definitely give it a try.

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  15. never tried microwaving the khichdi- actually i never experiment with sabudana khichdi since fearing to end with the 'unappetizing mass':) so will try this.yep soaking is the most crucial part of this khichdi. what i do is soak in water for about 15 -20 minutes and remove the left over water and keep it like that overnight.This method has not yet failed for me..but it depends a lot on the quality of sabudana..i buy my sabudana from the same store everytime.thanks Nupur for this quick microwave recipe.

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  16. am not such a fan of sago, cuz of its gooey texture. but this looks just rightly cooked. ur mom was right i suppose (as always mothers are!)

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  17. Ummm Sabudana Khichdi is one of my favorites!

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  18. Utter beauty of simplicity :). You just posted one of my favorite b'fast items! Will make it in microwave from now on! To think of it, i am writing this after dinner (what else, another khichdi!) :-D.

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  19. I stopped cooking sabudana khichdi since m ine would always turn out very soggy! This is my next try! :)

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  20. Just when I mastered the original version!!!


    But this I have to try. No slaving over the stove at all and just a little planning. Thanks Nupur... and thank your mom too :-)

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  21. oh this is nice..i will definitely try this..

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  22. Nupur, change your name to Annapurna!, you are genius. I adore Sabudana Khicdhi, and more than once my attempts at it have been less than perfect!!, I am gonna try this method, seems FANTASTIC

    Thanks!

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  23. OMG Nupur, that looks SO good. I'm home with sinus infection this morning and thinking I don't want a thing to eat... then here I come to see your sabudana kihichdi and I don't even have to cook it. I think I just found my appetite :)

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  24. wonderful recipe and easy to cook! i will surely give it a try. in Kerala, we use sabudana only to make payasams. thanx nupur!

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  25. OMG NUpur this is the wildest thought ever that could cross my mind, Sabudana Khichadi out of M/W? Mind blogging Simply irresistible....I love this recipe

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  26. You know just the other day when I was in the supermarket, I picked up a pack of sage and then put it down :( I must remember why I need to get it to try this dish :)

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  27. Aha, nearly missed seeing this recipe before it disappeared off the end of the FBDesam page :) I LOVE sabudana khichdi and tried making it twice at home - only to end up with gloopy Fevicol... maybe I'll be third time lucky :) It's heartening to know that sometimes it's the sabudana's fault, though...

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  28. Sabudana Khichdi ranks among my fav dishes..U reminded me of my friend's mom who used to make lovely khichdi. I remember eating most of it when my friend used to it for guruvar upvas...

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  29. Sabudana khichadi in microwave, no more burgers for lunch for me! looks fabulous nupur

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  30. i cook sabudana khichdi in the mixrowave ever since i read it in tarla dalals microwave recipe book....make sure not to use plastic container becuase the hot ghee or oil can melt the plastic,thus spoiling the tadka

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  31. Wow! That sounds real quick and so easy. Wish I knew this when I was staying in US, as after a number of tries at soggy and clumpy khichdi had nearly given up on making it. Back in India it is easier as the sabudana here is different (less starchy?). But this method seems so easy, and saves on using the number of containers I end up using when making this!
    Thanks a ton. A great one to post in the month of fasts! Will be making soon...

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  32. I had never thought that Khichadi can be made in the microwave...how cool is that! :)
    I will definitely try this method. Thanks to your mom! :)

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  33. Only you can come out with such a great idea...sabudana khichadi has always been a favourite and this post of yours has added an easy to make adjective to it......this ones a keeper

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  34. Sabudhana khichadi looks wonderful.Thanks for sharing the microwave version.Will try it soon.Durga

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  35. I rarely cook stuff in my microwave. This is such a great idea.

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  36. Man, I will definitely try this, i have in past made saboodana khichadi that has either got soggy or under cooked to avoid sogginees. Your method looks quite simple.

    Thanks for sharing.

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  37. Manasi, let me know if it works :)

    Manali, it was the easiest thing ever!

    Madhuli, Thanks so much for sharing that tip! Will definitely try it that way...removing the soaking water sounds like a very sensible thing to do. And yes, the quality of the sabudana really really matters...

    Nags, soak less, and try it. I think it will work!

    Anu, mine too :)

    Musical, khichdi zindabaad :D

    Coffee, soak way less than you used to! Give it a try :)

    Raaga, well, if you mastered the original version, then you don't need any more recipes!! :)

    Priya, let me know if it works!

    Arati, you are too sweet to say that :) but this one is straight from my mom.

    Linda, oh, dear :( those sinus infections! Take lots of rest and get well VERY soon! And yes, a tasty bite will inspire your immune system to get rid of the infection :)

    Lissie, in addition to payasam, sabudana can make so many delicious treats= like khichdi, vada, and pancakes called thalipeeth.

    Padma, glad you like it!

    Cynthia, If you manage to find a packet of good quality sago, nothing like it!

    Shyam, yes, yes, a lot of sabudana can be too absorbent and you end up with truly fevicol-ish results! It takes luck to find the right sabudana ;)

    Timepass, true, there are some people who can make the most divine khichdi! It takes talent!

    Mandira, it may not be the healthiest lunch to eat all the time, but a good treat once in a while :)

    Supriya, More than spoling the tadka, with a plastic container you have to worry about ingesting plastic! I've already written about containers in the post, maybe you did not notice it.

    Prajakta, yes, I don't know what it is about sabudana batches but they do vary dramatically!

    Tee, try it and let me know :)

    Bhags, all credit goes to my mum :)

    Durga, glad you like it.

    Sandeepa, I have just recently started to use my microwave more, and it really cooks stuff fast!

    Mru, yes, this is quite simple and has a better chance of success :)

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  38. Nupur,though I am a regular visitor of your site, I never left any comments.I have tried many of the dishes mentioned by you here.I tried this sabudana kichadi today. Again as before it was gummy.I am not sure what am I doing wrong.I washed & drained sabudana & left it covered.Just sprinkled water.Still it is gummy.I think I am ready to give up on this one even though it is my favourite :-( Let me know if there are any tricks that could work :-) Thanks for all the wonderful recipes.

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  39. perfect for all the somvar upvas I have been doing...Such a pain to make it just for myself....

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  40. Amazing as always! I have to try that!

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  41. wow..now thats a keeper!
    imagine not having to stir and mix the khichdi standing in the front of the stove..!!
    and looks equally delicious:)

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  42. Usha, you mentioned that you sprinkled water. It is the water that makes the khichdi gummy, I would suggest soaking the sabudana in minimum water and not at all sprinkling water while cooking it.

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  43. Hi Nupur, I've been reading your blog for quite a few months now - but commenting first time. Love your blog!
    I simply adore Sabudana Khichadi so could not resist trying out your instant version right away. It turned out quite yummy. (Garam garam khichadi, naral, kothimbir ani limbu - vaah vaah!) Thanks! :)

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  44. This is looking superb and perfect. I am trying it next time :)

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  45. sabudana khichdi is one dish i have never attempted to make in the microwave. this is a very useful post nupur. will cook this up sometime soon and ping you on how it turned out.

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  46. Thanks for this time-saving tip. I will be making it for lunch today. ......to go one step further I microwave the potatoes. Just nuke the potatoes for 2-3 mins and wrap them in aluminium foil to prevent drying. They are firm and don't get all soggy and water-logged like when boiled in water.

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  47. Nupur, this method of making sabudana khichdi looks so simple.Will try it out soon. The kanchipuram idlis also luk great...but i am not that big a fan of south indian food, especially idlis, so may be i will try out the uttapam.

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  48. Another amazing recipe from Nupur!! Khichdi looks perfect, I have to try it this way. And I totally agree, some batches of Sabudana are horrible! Btw, I started a blog recently - do read the welcome post :)(http://freshflavors.blogspot.com/2007/08/welcome.html)

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  49. That looks so good Nupur and just 4 minutes. I'm in.

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  50. sabudana khichidi is always one of my lunch options to work.
    this is so easy
    will try it.
    thanks for sharing!!

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  51. Thanks, Nupur! Finally - finally -an easy sabudana khichdi recipe. I have been fasting on Sankashti for over 10 years now. I *dream* of this Khichdi, but always forget to soak the sabudana. Towards the end of the day, I am so tired that I just give up on my dream completely. This recipe sounds simple and I hope I will make it more often. I need the energy, on fasting days, esp. in this country. Thank you.

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  52. I just tried out your earlier recipe for sabudanyachi khichadi and it came out perfect, this looks even easier! thanks!

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  53. ..and the sabudana khichadi looks sooo easy and guaranteed to cook perfect! Definitely going to try it. Thanks!!!!

    Gauri

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  54. hi nupur,
    thanks for the recipe. yup, it does look super simple. nice that you dont have to turn on the stove early in the morning!

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  55. So much less cleanup as well! I had been meaning to try sabudana khichdi in the microwave...now I know it will work! Thanks for posting this. If only you had posted it before I made it on Janmashtmi! I am all set for the next fasting day!

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  56. (Delighted to hear from you! Love your blog. Will delurk and stop drooling for a minute to say: Can't. Wait. To. Try. This!!! Thank you for sharing!! Awesome idea and recipe!!

    Smita

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  57. wow...! I had stopped taking sabudana khichdi in my dabba for lunch on the days that I fast, since my stove-cooked khichdi used to be a disaster. I am going to try this method. Thanks a bunch!

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  58. Nupur this deserves a pat on the back. It looks really good with separated granules cooking on stove top itself is a big skill and you did it in the MW.

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  59. Hi Nupur,

    I just made this for breakfast, and really want to thank you for posting this method. Sabudana khichadi is a childhood favorite, and the proportions of sugar and salt you mention turned out the khichadi of my childhood memories....
    I had to microwave this for almost 10 minutes in my geriatric microwave, so yes, there is a lot of variation in cooking time.
    My favorite part : No muscle-building exercises while trying to stir gloopy sabudana on the stovetop while trying to scrape the bottom to prevent anything from sticking!! And wayyy less cooking fat :) Your aai is a genius :)

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  60. Smita, yes, this is perfect for small batches!

    Radhika, thanks :)

    Vani, I love the not-stirring on a hot stove bit too :D

    Anon, so glad to hear that! Your description sounds perfect :)

    Achana, let me know if it works :)

    Lakshmi, Crossing my fingers and hoping it turns out great! :)

    Teju, yes, I often microwave potatoes too. I don't even wrap them or anything.

    Priyanka, do try it out!

    Shweta, wishing you many good times in the food blog world!

    Laavanya, glad you like it :)

    Mallurecipes, yes, this does make for a tasty lunch.

    Raingirl, do take care of yourself...eat some fruits and drink lots of juices. Not good to let your body get so tired! It is true, you need the energy.

    Punekar Abroad, If your stove-top technique is perfected, you may not need this one at all :)

    Gauri, hope you get a chance to try it!

    Lulu, so glad that you like this Maharashtrian favorite!

    Anita, yup, it works! You might have to take on more fasts to try this :)

    Smita, thank you for delurking :) I enjoy your blog a lot!

    Anon, I hope it works well for you!

    Anjali, I think it is a lot easier in the microwave than on the stove-top, especially for beginners. Hope you are doing great, nice to see you :)

    AA, Oh my...microwave power really seems to go down exponentially as it ages! Mine is less than a year old, and cooks things so fast that I often end up burning stuff if I am not careful. I am so glad this recipe worked for you...thanks so much for letting me know! Hope all is well with you :)

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  61. Hey nupur,

    I tried this 1 and boy was it tasty...and not 1 sabudana left uncooked,,, and ready in a jiffy too,,... no downside and no sticky gooey messses.. thanks a ton

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  62. Hi Nupur,

    This recipe is just awesome! I made it today and it really was cooked to perfection. No hard sabudana nor a gooey mess. Just the way sanudanyachi khichadi should be!! I covered the bowl in the microwave with microwave safe lid. wasn't sure about it. (probably i could have left it uncovered). but still it was just superb. THANKS A BUNCH!! Please please do convey our warm regards and a HUGE thanks to ur mom for an absolutely wonderful and easy recipe!!
    Regards,
    Desai Family.

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  63. hi nupur,
    i stay in scotland and cant get sago. how do i use tapioca to the same effect for khichadi?? help, i looooooooove sabudana khichadi & am missing it. and thanks for all ur delicious recepies.they r gr8

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  64. Kavita, so glad it worked :)

    Desai family, I appreciate the feedback very much! I'm really glad the recipe worked for you.

    Anon, You see, I have never lived in a place where I was unable to find sago, so I have never tried tapioca in place of sago. I have made sabudana with Israeli couscous (pearl-like pasta)...it is a recipe from another blog, but I don't know if you can find that type of pasta in Scotland. If you do want to use tapioca, just experiment with small quantities and you might hit on something that works well.

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  65. I am still looking to try the couscous khichdi at http://evolvingtastes.blogspot.com/search?q=sabudana. But it got me googling for sabudana and I found this. Tried it today - awesome ! A failsafe sabudana khichdi and FAST! My mom will be so happy when she tries this out. I have always been the sabudana expert in my family, now she can be an expert too :-)

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  66. hi..Nupur..I tired making this microwave saboodana khichdi an it tuned out great thank you so much for such an easy recipies...I am going to try others too.

    thank you
    jyotsna

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  67. Nupur I just made this for breakfast (Mins ago) and have a bowlful of wonderful, perfect khichdi in front of me! Thanks for yet another successful recipe. I can kiss the gooey ones goodbye now.

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  68. One more to the long list of comments :) I had to thank you!!! Wonderful( read time saving!!) way of making the perfect khichdi. I was also lucky with my current sabudana purchase but forgot where I got it from :(

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  69. Hey nupur, the recipe does look good. My question is can you soak it overnight? or alternately can it be used for lunch instead of breakfast?

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  70. Hi, i had an idea to share about sabudana, here in asian store ( chinese or even korein store) we get sabudana which is really tiny.. so if you use that, you dont even have to soak it for hrs. and can make "zat-pat" khichadi !!

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  71. Nupur, this method rocks! I made this for brunch this morning and I got the sabudana to cook to the stage that we like it. Each sabudana was separate and not gooey. There's no going back to the "on the stove" method for me now! Thank you!

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  72. Hi Nupur,

    I've been following your blog silently and admire you for all you are....just tried the sabudana microwave khichdi..was a delicious breakfast for me and my husband...am following it up with a coup of chai :-)
    Thanks and keep up the awesome job..hugs for dale...
    Revathi

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  73. thanks for sharing this recipe Nupur. I'm a big fan of easy microwave stuff:) i havent had good sabudana khichdi in a while, so this was really a treat!
    I only soaked the sabudana for an hour and a half or so this time. and that helped. the overnight soaking has always resulted in a pile of mush:)

    i didnt have cilantro at home so i used the dry kasoori methi instead, while cooking the potatoes, and it added a nice flavor.

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  74. Thanks for sharing the recipe. It comes out great!

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  75. Thanks!! and bless you for sharing this..i am tired of sticking envelopes with my sabudana khichdi!!

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  76. So simple and so tasty.Thanks.You have a great blog

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  77. Thanks a ton ! Just tried it for breakfast :) Was feeling completely hopeless about the sabudana khichdi before I tried this one.
    Keep posting !

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  78. This one turned out great.The 2nd time I made it,I also added some soaked(and drained) monng dal to the mix-I added it after the potatoes were cooked and cooked an additional min, before adding sabudana.This added extra protein to the meal.Your mom is a genius!
    GKB

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  79. i have just stumbled on your blog and i LOVE it! :) i'm a complete noob when it comes to cooking. i tried this recipe and everything was great except that i didn't soak for long enough (got impatient, as noobs do) the sabudana is still hard. is there a way to remedy that after the khichadi is done?! could i add water and microwave it again? pls help!

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    Replies
    1. I would try mixing 1/2 cup or so water with the khichdi, letting it sit and soak for a few hours, then microwaving again. This is something I would try but I can't guarantee that it will work. Good luck!

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    2. Thank you for replying! I ended up sprinkling some water and microwaving again. Didn't really work - but hey, tasted great and we had it anyway! Looking forward to making again, this time properly! :)

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  80. hey can i try this with Nylon Sabudana??

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  81. Thanks to you Nupur, sabudana khichadi is no longer my nemesis! You rock! Tried this out today and it turned out perfect. And so easy too!

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  82. Thank you Nupur. This comes out nice every time and easier.

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