DIY Comfort Meal Ideas You Need To Try Today

One-Pot Khichdi - Indian Savory Porridge

Luke Coutinho (Designed by Priyanka Vithlani, Meal Planning Analyst)
Kichadi, khichdi, or kitchari is one-pot comfort food with a perfect cereal pulse combination served hot with a dollop of ghee. This staple can be consumed by everyone right from babies to the elderly, if it suits them. You can add various spices and vegetables of your choice for an additional health boost. Here's a millet-based Mushroom khichdi loaded with the goodness of protein, fiber, and aromatic hand-pounded spices. It will remind you of home and nourish your soul.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course, Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4
Calories 304 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup button mushrooms
  • ½ cup millet, presoaked bajra/barnyard millet
  • 2 tsp cold pressed coconut oil or groundnut oil
  • 4 tsp garlic and green chili paste
  • ¼ cup beans french beans
  • ¼ cup yellow lentil/moong dal, presoaked for 8 hours
  • 1 cup chopped spinach
  • ½ tsp jeera
  • Pinch of asafoetida/hing
  • Few curry leaves
  • ½ cup tomato
  • ¼ tsp chili powder
  • ½ tsp garam masala powder
  • ½ tsp coriander powder
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • ¼ tsp pepper powder

Instructions
 

  • Wash and soak the millets for 8 hours.
  • Heat oil in a pressure cooker. Add cumin seeds, hing, and curry leaves and let them sizzle.
  • Then add garlic and green chili paste. Mix and let it cook for a minute.
  • Add tomato, chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala, and turmeric powder next. Stir and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Add soaked millet, spinach and mushroom, beans, and moong dal.
  • Add water and salt. Mix well.
  • Close the lid and cook for 3 to 4 whistles.
  • After the millet is cooked and all the pressure has gone, open the lid and give it one more stir.
  • Add a dollop of ghee.
  • Garnish with chopped coriander. Serve hot with a side of salad.

Power tips and variations:

  • By soaking the millet for 8 hours, you make them more digestible and increase its absorption.
  • You can also alternate mushrooms with chicken thighs in their recipe.

Notes

  • Millets are rich in antioxidants like quercetin and catechins that neutralize free radicals and control inflammation which is the root cause of most diseases known today.
  • Mushrooms are rich in selenium, choline, vitamins C, D, and fiber.
  • You can alternate button mushrooms with oyster mushrooms too.
  • Millets are a good source of B-complex vitamins and minerals. They are also low on the glycemic index which makes them excellent for diabetics. This recipe is gluten-free making it easy on those with gut issues.
  • Check out more recipes here

Nutrition

Calories: 304kcalCarbohydrates: 46.3gProtein: 7.8gFat: 8.9g
Keyword traditional
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Bottle Gourd Curd Raita - A Creamy Cooling Condiment

Luke Coutinho (Designed by Priyanka Vithlani, Meal Planning Analyst)
Try this easy-to-make cool and refreshing curd dip made with grated bottle gourd. If you do not like the taste of bottle gourd, there is nothing better way than reintroducing it to your palate with this recipe.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Side Dish, Condiment
Cuisine Indian
Servings 2
Calories 115 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tsp cold-pressed groundnut oil for tempering
  • 1 cup bottle of gourd
  • 100 gm A2 curd
  • 2 to 3 curry leaves
  • ¼ cup tomato, chopped
  • 1 green chili, chopped (optional)
  • Coriander, chopped (for garnish)
  • ¼ tsp mustard seeds
  • A pinch of asafoetida/hing
  • Salt as per taste

Instructions
 

  • Grate the gourd after peeling.
  • Steam for a few seconds.
  • Mix everything in a bowl according to taste.
  • Temper with oil, mustard seeds, and hing. Enjoy.

Power tips and variations:

  • Don't want to use bottle gourd? You can alternate it with cucumber, spring onions, or steamed grated pumpkin, too.
  • Always peel the gourd and taste a bit of flesh to ensure it isn't bitter. If it is bitter, discard it immediately because consuming it may cause severe toxic reactions.

Notes

  • Bottle gourd is high in water content and is excellent for making the body alkaline, regenerating liver tissues, and improving its function.
  • Curd makes a good source of probiotics which is cooling for the gut and eases digestion.
  • Curd rice, if it suits you, can be the best comfort meal when you struggle with bloating, indigestion, or diarrhea because curd is an excellent source of probiotics.
Disclaimer: Please keep your healthcare provider in the loop before introducing any new food item into your lifestyle, especially if you have a medical health condition or are on medications. In case you are allergic to certain foods, please avoid them.

Nutrition

Calories: 115kcalCarbohydrates: 11.2gProtein: 5.6gFat: 4.5g
Keyword traditional
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!