Light, Flavorful Khichdi: 10 Summer Dinners to Beat the Heat

10 Delicious Khichdi Varieties Perfect for a Cool Summer Dinner

In India, Khichdi—the best comfort food—isn’t just a dish of rice and lentils. You can use salads for dinner anytime and they are especially refreshing when it’s very warm outside. Because hot meals feel hefty when summer arrives, khichdi makes a tasty and easily digested alternative.

Moong Dal Khichdi (Yellow Lentil Khichdi)

It is a well-liked staple across India because it is easy to digest and made with yellow split moong. This dish is easy on your stomach, usually flavored with just turmeric, salt and a cumin-ginger blend, so it is great for light summer nights or after you’re feeling unwell.

Masoor Dal Khichdi

Similar to moong dal khichdi, the red lentil version gives a unique difference in taste. Red lentils become tender quickly and are easy on your stomach which makes this recipe a good choice for busy summer weeknights.

Vegetable Khichdi

Adding some diced carrots, peas, beans, spinach, bottle gourd (lauki) or zucchini to your basic khichdi during summer can make it more delicious. As a result, this dish is nutritious and ensures you don’t feel too heavy after eating.

Bajra Khichdi

In Rajasthan, Bajra Khichdi is made with pearl millet (bajra instead of rice) and is gluten-free, plus full of essential minerals. While sometimes viewed as a dish for winter, you can make it lighter with much less ghee and summer vegetables and it becomes delicious and healthier.

* Jowar Khichdi (Sorghum Khichdi):

Jowar khichdi is mild, nutritious and a naturally cooling meal to eat. In summer, you can make a meal by combining jowar with moong dal and some seasonal vegetables.

Curd Khichdi (Dahi Khichdi):

My curd khichdi (or dahi khichdi) is a genuinely cooling and digestible option because it incorporates curd either as a part of the dish or served with a dollop of curd. The sourness of the curd resonates beautifully with the gentleness of the khichdi in a way that is super refreshing on a hot day, and a very effective way to ease acidity.

* Lemon Khichdi:

This khichdi has a zingy, fresh flavour. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end of cooking will brighten your khichdi. It also has a tempering of mustard seeds with curry leaves, and a pinch of asafoetida, making it a refreshing option to get your appetite going.

* Palak khichdi (Spinach khichdi):

This is a nutrient dense khichdi that produces good quantity of spinach in combination with rice and dal. It is low calorie, and food that is easy to digest, way low in calories it has a good source of iron and vitamins are ideal for a light summer dinner that is nourishing and provide you with a significant portion of fibre and iron.

* Mint & coriander khichdi:

Fresh mint and coriander is also good for aroma, a cooling effect, and promote natural digestive health. You can add fresh mint or coriander, to make a paste and food it at that stage, or use the fresh herb abundantly as a garnish. Fresh herb flavours are refreshing in hot weather.

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Oats Khichdi:

If you seek to add that modern touch to your khichdi that skips the traditional rice, then oats is the way to go. Oats khichdi is very light, digests easily and is rich in fiber as well. You also can cook it with moong dal and the vegetables of your choice. The simple turmeric flavor and a slight tempering make the dish more favourable.

By following these different ways you can take the pleasure in your meal having a comforting and healthy dinner that goes along well with a hot summer evening just right.

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