Sama Ke Chawal Recipe or Mordhan Khichdi – Navratri Special

Are you fasting?

Looking for a healthy and easy fasting recipe?

Today I share a very easy recipe you can try during fasting. It is made using mordhan, moraiyo or barnyard millet.

Navratri reminds us of goddess Durga, dandiya and fasting. Many Indians especially in the northern and central part of India observe fast for nine days during Navratri.

Singhare ka aata, water chestnut flour, rajgira or amarathus and mordhan or barnyard millet are commonly used ingredients for fasting recipes. These ingredients have loads of healing properties too.

As most of the fasting recipes are quiet filling and heavy, mordhan khichdi or sama ki khichdi is a very refreshing change. It is a very light recipe and is easy on stomach too.

One can also serve this khichdi to kids above one year as part of lunch.

What is mordhan or barnyard millet?

Mordhan is a tropical grass with grains. It belongs to the millet family.

Barnyard millet is grown on marginal lands where it is difficult for rice and other crops to thrive.

Mordhan grains look like tiny white grains almost like smaller version of sago or sabudana. The grains from this grass are cooked just like rice or boiled to make porridge with milk and sugar.

Barnyard millet is called Mordhan in Hindi, Bhagar in Marathi and Moraiyo/Moriya/Samo in Gujrati.

In Tamil Nadu Barnyard millets go by the name Kuthiravaali. Malayalees call it Kavadapullu and Telungu people refer to it as Udalu. In Bengali it is called Shyama, Swank in Punjabi.

Though a staple food for some communities in India, mordhan is used particularly during fasting time. So it also called “Vrat ke chawal”.

Nutritional benefits of mordhan or barnyard millet:

The benefits of mordhan are as follows.

• Good source of calcium, potassium and fiber
• Gluten free and it has low glycemic index too and thus is good for diabetics
• Promote good bones and digestive system too.

Mordhan khichdi or sama ke chawal recipe with root vegetables:

Heat ghee in a kadai / heavy bottom pan and add a little jeera, one chopped green chili and curry leaves. Allow them to splutter.

Add in one by third cup of diced root vegetables (potato, carrot and sweet potatoes) and cook them for approximately 2 to 3 minutes on medium high flame.

Add in half a cup of washed and drained mordhan and 2 cups of water along with salt and sugar. Allow it to boil for 4 to 5 minutes on medium low flame.

Now let the mordhan cook on low flame for 8 to 10 minutes until soft. Do keep an eye on the khichdi so as to avoid sticking on the kadai.

Once the mordhan is cooked well, the khichdi is ready to be served. Serve it with aloo sabzi or just plain curd.

• Please feel free to add black pepper or red chili flakes to the recipe.
• As I am sharing the recipe for fasting, I have not added other vegetables like tomatoes, pumpkin, peas or beans (these are not supposed to be eaten during fast). In case you are plan to make it for non-fasting day, please feel free to add other veggies as well.
• One can also add groundnut and sesame seeds along with veggies for different texture.
• Coconut (fresh or desiccated) can also be added.

Hope you all liked this healthy sama ke chawal recipe.

You can try this recipe even if you are not planning to fast this Navratri. It will be a pleasant change ☺

How do you prepare Barnyard Millet at home? What are the other popular fasting recipes in your region?

Do share and let us know your feedback in the comments section. You can also share this recipe with your near and dear ones through Facebook and twitter.