Forgot to Soak Sabudana? Try This Quick Trick for Fluffy Khichdi

If you forgot to soak sabudana during the Sawan fasting season, use this clever pressure cooker and cold water trick to make fluffy khichdi in minutes.

With the arrival of the holy Sawan month, fasting and religious observances begin in many households across the country. During this period, sabudana khichdi stands out as one of the most popular dishes because it remains light on the stomach while keeping you feeling full for a long time. However, the biggest frustration often arises when you suddenly decide to prepare khichdi and realize that you completely forgot to soak the pearls beforehand. Traditionally, sabudana needs to soak in water for several hours to achieve the right texture. Skipping this step usually results in hard, uncooked centers or a sticky, clumpy mess. Fortunately, a clever method has emerged that allows you to whip up delicious and separate-grained khichdi without any prior soaking.

This technique relies on a pressure cooker to speed up the softening process, followed by a few simple steps to separate the pearls before tossing them with spices. If time is running short, there is no need to panic. The process involves washing the ingredient and steaming it directly so it softens gradually and becomes ready for cooking. Begin by rinsing the pearls thoroughly two to three times in clean water to wash away excess starch. Once drained completely, transfer the ingredient into a steel container, adding a little pure ghee, rock salt to taste, a pinch of sugar, and just a tiny splash of water before mixing gently.

Next, pour some water into a pressure cooker and place the covered steel container inside. You can also drop in a couple of whole potatoes so they boil simultaneously. Secure the lid and cook on medium heat for up to three whistles. Turn off the heat and let the pressure release naturally. Upon opening the cooker, the pearls might look slightly sticky at first. This is where a crucial cold water trick comes into play. Transfer the contents to a strainer and pour cold water over them while rinsing gently with your hands. This specific step ensures that every single grain separates completely and prevents them from sticking together during cooking.

Heat some ghee in a pan or cooker, add cumin seeds, followed by finely chopped green chilies and grated ginger, sautéing them lightly. If tomatoes are a part of your fasting diet, add chopped tomatoes now and cook until tender. Combine the boiled potato pieces and the prepared pearls into the tempering mixture. Sprinkle rock salt, a pinch of sugar, freshly cracked black pepper, and roasted peanuts. Toss everything together very gently to avoid breaking the delicate grains. Before turning off the heat, garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves and a dash of lemon juice, along with a sprinkle of roasted cumin powder for extra flavor. Keep in mind not to overcook the pearls in excess water, remember the cold water rinse after steaming, and avoid stirring the dish too aggressively. Sabudana provides a great source of carbohydrates to restore energy during fasts, and combining it with potatoes, peanuts, and ghee makes it a wholesome meal when consumed in moderation.

What this means for you
During fasts: Using this pressure cooker trick when you forget to soak sabudana saves valuable time and lets you quickly prepare a wholesome fasting meal.

Questions & Answers

1. Can khichdi be made without soaking sabudana?
Yes, by using a pressure cooker to steam it and rinsing with cold water, you can make separate-grained khichdi without prior soaking.

2. How many whistles are needed in the cooker for sabudana?
The sabudana is cooked on medium heat for up to three whistles in the pressure cooker.

3. Why do the pearls not stick together after cooking?
Rinsing the cooked sabudana with cold water in a strainer separates the individual grains so they do not stick.

4. What ingredients are added to enhance the flavor of the khichdi?
Ghee, cumin, green chilies, ginger, rock salt, sugar, black pepper, roasted peanuts, coriander leaves, and lemon juice are added.

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