Gujarati Sweet Rice Khichdi
A comforting, spiced rice and lentil porridge sweetened with jaggery, traditionally served during winter. This indian-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 45 minutes pairs Basmati rice, Moong dal, Water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Basmati rice
- 1/4 cup Moong dal
- 2 cups Water
- 3 tbsp Jaggery
- 2 Cardamom pods
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 1 tbsp Ghee
- 5 Cashews
- 1 pinch Salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1/2 cup basmati rice and 1/4 cup moong dal under cold water until water runs clear. Combine in a pot with 2 cups water and 1 pinch salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes until tender.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 tbsp melted jaggery, 2 crushed cardamom pods, 1/2 cup milk, and 1 tbsp ghee. Cook uncovered for 5 minutes, stirring until thickened and jaggery dissolves.
- Step 3: Remove cardamom pods. Stir in 5 chopped cashews and cook for 2 more minutes. Serve warm as a comforting breakfast or dessert.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Gujarati Sweet Rice Khichdi take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Gujarati Sweet Rice Khichdi?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep basmati rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Gujarati Sweet Rice Khichdi?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Gujarati Sweet Rice Khichdi for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Gujarati Sweet Rice Khichdi vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to vegetarian dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.