Assamese-Style Barley Khisiri
Servings: 4 people
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There is no other comfort food quite like Khichdi. Try out this nutrituous and healthy version of Assamese-style Khisiri with pearl barley and seasonal vegetables.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pearl barley (jau)
- 1/4 cup masoor dal (red lentils)
- 1/4 cup moong dal (split green gram)
- 3 tbsp mustard oil
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp panch phoran
- 2 whole red chillies
- 1/4 tsp asafoetida (hing)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onions
- 2 green chillies
- 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
- 1 medium potato (cubed)
- 1 medium carrot (diced)
- 6-8 cauliflower florets
- 1/4 cup green peas
- 1 medium tomato chopped
- 1 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder (haldi)
- 1 tsp cumin powder (jeera)
- 1 tbsp coriander powder (dhania)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper powder
- 4 cups water
- 1/4 cup chopped green coriander leaves
- 1 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)
Instructions
- To begin, soak the pear barley for 8 hours or overnight. Wash the dals in water until they run clean. Soak them for 30 minutes. Drain and keep aside.
- Heat mustard oil to the smoking point and let it cool a bit. Add bay leaves, whole red chillies, panch phoran, and asafoetida. Allow to crackle.
- Add the chopped onions with the slit green chillies and saute until onions are translucent. Add ginger garlic paste and saute for a minute.
- Next add the diced vegetables – potatoes, carrots, and cauliflower with the green peas. Mix well and saute for a few minutes.
- Add in the tomatoes and saute until they soften.
- Now add the dry masalas – salt to taste, black pepper powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, and turmeric powder. Saute for a few minutes. You can add a bit of water to avoid the masalas from burning.
- Next, add in the soaked barley with the dals. Mix well and saute for 4-5 minutes.
- Add 4 cups water. Bring to a boil. Pressure cook it for 3 whistles. Let the pressure drop completely before opening the cooker. If using an open pot, cook on low heat until the barley is done.
- The Assamese-Style Barley Khisiri is ready to serve. Garnish with some more coriander leaves. Serve hot with a dollop of ghee on top.
Notes
- Prepare the panch phoran by mixing together 1 tsp mustard seeds (sarson), 1 tsp cumin seeds (jeera), 1 tsp fennel seeds (saunf), 1/2 tsp nigella seeds (kalongi), and 1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds (methi dana). You can bottle this in an airtight container for extended use.
- You can experiment with seasonal vegetables of your choice.
Video
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This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.
Manali
July 27, 2024 @ 2:19 pm
Compared to your other recipes, even though I’m coming across it for the first time, this seems less daunting and easy to make, probably because I have all (unlike most or some) the ingredients already at my disposal. Definitely trying this one out because it seems very doable and familiar, not unlike the regular dishes I make.
Madhu
July 28, 2024 @ 12:25 pm
Thank you so much. Do try it out 😊
Kaveri Chhetri
August 1, 2024 @ 8:19 pm
I didn’t know jau is edible. Is it the thing we put in the ‘hawan’ along with black til Madhu Ma’am?… Cuz we call that mixture ’til jau.’
Coming to the khisri (nice name), it’s a very comforting and wholesome recipe. The next time I make khichdi, I will try this one. Btw, we use 5 phoran in most subjis so we buy it readymade… all households back home have it.😊
ambica gulati
July 29, 2024 @ 7:42 pm
I saw your reels and decided that I have to make this. Both khichdi and veggies are my faves. I like the way the Assamese spell their Khisiri.
Ishieta
August 1, 2024 @ 2:25 am
I find it so interesting how each region has their own version of the kichri. It is such a feel good staple, especially on off days.
Caroline
August 1, 2024 @ 8:51 pm
Dals and veggies together sounds like a great one pot meal. I have never tasted Assamese food before, so well surely try this one.
Docdivatraveller
August 2, 2024 @ 7:20 am
I love Assamese food. The slight tang makes it so different yet so delicious! Never tried barley khisri though. Let me get barley from the store and thn will try this method.
Neeta Kadam
August 2, 2024 @ 7:38 am
Jau… Is it edible? I never eat it. Infact I never tried to eat bajra, jowar khichdi. This recipe looks simple with all ingredients available in my kitchen. Kichari is Assamese name? Khichdi is staple in my house. I will tried this version.
Ratna
August 2, 2024 @ 12:58 pm
I love kichdis of all kinds, and this barley based one has made my mouth water even as I read it, not to the mention the wonderful pic! Am going to try this as soon as possible, and will let you know how it turned out. Thanks for the amazing recipe.
samata
August 2, 2024 @ 1:44 pm
Once upon a time there was a girl who used to love Khichri in all available forms , now the girl is a mother and now she makes Khichri for her son more than herself.Thank you for adding one more in my kitty. Love you mam.
Chandrika R Krishnan
August 2, 2024 @ 2:37 pm
Trying this right away ..starting with soaking the barley. Millet recipes are my new favourite and this sounds yummy. Can’t wait to taste it. Am so glad that you included the panch phoren ingredients. That was so thoughtful
Anjali Tripathi Upadhyay
August 2, 2024 @ 6:59 pm
My husband loves all kinds of khichdi, and now I’ve started liking it too. This recipe is something new for me, and I definitely want to try making it. Love tge worc khisiri in Assamese 😊
Ritu Bindra
August 2, 2024 @ 11:40 pm
I just love khichdi and this is so much more healthier and nutritious. We should definitely make this again soon.
Varsh
August 3, 2024 @ 4:34 pm
Never tried khichdi made in mustard oil or with barley. I’m curious about it’s taste as it’s very healthy and hearty too. Will surely have to try this.
Janaki
August 5, 2024 @ 7:16 pm
Never tried any recipe with Barley, aunty. Thanks for sharing.
Madhu
September 16, 2024 @ 1:33 pm
Thank you so much Beta 😊
Felicia
August 6, 2024 @ 7:25 pm
It looks incredibly comforting and a hearty, nutritious meal. I love how the recipe incorporates traditional Assamese flavors, creating a unique twist on a classic dish. I can’t wait to try making it myself and enjoy its warmth and richness.
Madhu
September 16, 2024 @ 1:31 pm
Thank you so much. Do try it out 😊
Pamela Mukherjee
August 9, 2024 @ 10:06 pm
I have never heard about this recipe but I am sure it tastes different from khichdi. I loved the way you detailed the delicious khichdi, will try for sure.
Madhu
September 16, 2024 @ 1:19 pm
Thank you so much. Do try it out 😊
Shifali
August 10, 2024 @ 11:28 pm
I have never tried Assamese good. But this recipe seems do simple and nutritious. I am definitely going to try this out. Dala and veggies combo is mostly given for protein intake.
Madhu
September 16, 2024 @ 1:14 pm
Thank you so much. Do try it out 😊
Jeannine
August 24, 2024 @ 7:09 am
Whew! And all the while, I thought it was some sort of scrambled eggs based on how the photo looked like. This seems to be a healthier version though. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Madhu
September 16, 2024 @ 3:41 pm
Thank you so much 😊
Noor Anand Chawla
September 14, 2024 @ 9:08 pm
Thanks for sharing this interesting version of a comfort dish!
Madhu
September 16, 2024 @ 6:51 pm
Thank you so much Noor 😊