Sabudana Khichdi

This post about Sabudana Khichdi comes with many doubts in my head. So, I’m in my head and not feeling with my heart. But truth be told, I am feeling it. It’s so hot right now! This one is suitable with less cooking involved and not too many spices.

I had many different versions of this sabudana (sago) while growing up. What I had recently shared by my friendly neighbour seemed more like a savoury sweet sour and spicy chaat. Loved it to say the least and immediately thought that I should make it myself.

I didn’t have sago at home, and it brought back many memories of having made it earlier as an alternate to grains. I received feedback from my nutrients obsessed partner then, that this had almost no proteins! Ah well- I still like it.

What is sago made from asked the little child way back in… (I don’t know which year). I think sap from tapioca. But I may be wrong.

Also, I understand a few breakfast or anytime snacks are needed for most families. This one goes very well into lunchboxes as well and as my neighbour shared- is dry and hence “leakage” is not a problem.

Sabudana Khichdi baggage tags

I remember trying a few sweet soups with sago or sabudana while living and working across Southeast Asia. One of the soups was specially made for the new years to give blessings to children. Again, memory fails me with the story behind the rituals.

There were different coloured balls in the soup (some with bean or peanuts filling) and children were asked- how many of those balls did you eat? Apparently, each one was supposed to correspond to the number of years that the child had survived. Who knows the name of that sweet soup? 🙂

My friend here told me this Sabudana Khichdi is specially made on ekadashi days as vrat (fasting) food when they go easy on the kitchen fire and don’t eat any grains. I’ve grown up with very few of these customs followed.

Truth be told, I wasn’t at home since I left at the age of 21 and started working in different places. There was no time to learn all these traditions- perhaps I had a tunnel vision and filtered in whatever was of interest.

When we got married, we received two baggage tags as gifts- black and orange. Later we saw a lot of the tv series -Orange is the New Black. I still didn’t get it (duh). I was singing and dancing in Lalaland.

Sabudana Khichdi with lots of potatoes

My friend (co-conspirator in foodisms) said “Psst! I don’t like so much of potatoes too.”

But I really thought that the potatoes are a must for this dish.

No onions, no garlic and not much chopping involved. I say that this is really suitable for large gatherings. And the peanuts added gave it the chaat flavour.

Now if you are like me- highly allergic to various foods and iffy about the peanuts, I am wracking my brains. It needs the peanuts or some kind of nuts at least.

Papri or sev will do. But then, I am not sure about the fasting rules. I’m not making this for any fasting occasion so that’s not a big deal. Just thought that this will be suitable for breakfast or anytime snack. Definitely healthier and tastier than say chips, ice-cream or brownies. Ok, I’m not telling on you- just sharing an alternative. 🙂

Sabudana Khichdi Style check

I’m being admonished. You have to go bling bling and I really hate that thing! I was trying to run in the opposite direction and was pulled up by many elders. I’m told not to sulk or slam the door when asked to wear those traditional dresses and pretty up for the festivities. We are trying to find the energy for doing this now- heave ho!

I am contemplating hiding in the kitchen for a couple of more weeks before the torture starts.

Chin up and try to take it as a necessary evil. Some people do it 365 days of the year. To such martyrs and great souls, we share this sabudana khichdi as an homage to your military upbringing.

This kind of complaining about dressing up is going to be severely frowned upon by those who gifted you these things. Like how ungrateful can you be? There are people who are dying without any food on the table! (Classic mom lines).

Sabudana Khichdi dressing

Now, Sabudana Khichdi is kind of like a salad if you think about it. Use your imagination. We are using fairly simple ingredients. That green chilli and ginger paste adds a pretty nice punch. I’m told that they have it ready in their kitchen at all times- an essential for them.

Coriander or mint leaves is really up to you. I say whatever is good and fresh. The roasted cumin powder is a must. That much I can tell you from the tasting.

Curry leaves tadka (chhonk) is the part where you do light up the fire, so let’s edit that part in the beginning. Or maybe not. Who is reading all of this anyways? Most people don’t have the patience. You can add an easter egg or two in between and nobody will blink (wink wink). Oops- we are getting into the vegetarian and non-vegetarian debate once again. I really cannot get into that one. To each his or her own belief system is what I’ve grown up learning. I’m really serious about that one.

We need to be careful with the salt seasoning. That’s all I get from the mashup. Adding the sugar and lemon to it is mandatory. I say that with full confidence. Can I add tamarind chutney to it as well? Yes, I think I can. But it will change the colour. Never mind. It’s good anyways.

Learning by Doing

When I actually set out to make this for the first time, I got the flavours right but, I had an important realisation. It tasted nothing like my friend’s sabudana khichdi.

Do I fry it one more time with the tadka just before serving? Hmmm….Maybe…that’s the trick. It depends. Both taste good but one tasted better. How much of oil consumption are you interested in?

Anyways, it’s good to prep ahead especially if you are making this for bigger crowds for breakfast or a busy day full of guests. Having something like this in your fridge is a lifesaver.

Do you want to make the leftovers into sabudana vadas later? Interesting creative thoughts. Let’s see what comes out of another little kitchen experiment. 🙂

Footnote

Hello Mike Testing

We are tasting the testing

It’s been a few years of wasting

Old habits die hard and we are dying

Every few years there’s a deluge of tears

This one was quite special for a number of reasons

I walked with hesitation and talked with fears

Each little act was a reminder of missing tact

Foot in the mouth disease was my specialty

They said it comes naturally when you are at ease

We are sending out reminders- there are children around

Who maybe going through a lot more than just loud sound

All the elders are being admonished today

Please be on guard and watch the crowds all around

There may be quite a few kids gone missing

We are doing whatever it takes to keep trouble at bay

I am sending this letter in hopes that you are all at your stations

Keep strolling but keep your vision clear

A few corner points are well marked

Clean up the cobwebs, dear.

Melting Lemon Drop 04.10.2026