Sabudana Khichdi | Nutty Tapioca

You know me by now. Food is another word for memories in my world. Every dish reminds me of people, places and things that have happened in my life. From the baby steps of cooking I took, to the more recent self made recipes, I’ve always learnt from the people in my life. This is a special one recipe as it was one of the first few I learnt from my late Mother-in-law, even before marriage happened. Sabudana Khichdi or boondi as one of my closest friends named it. This dish is made with Sago.

Sago what?

Have you noticed the pearls like appearance of Sago or sabudana? In the days that I learnt how to make this dish, I was naive enough to think that sago grew this way naturally. It was only much later did I realise that Sago is processed plant starch and is made from Tapioca or Cassava root. So the pearl like shapes are factory made and don’t look like this naturally.

Early encounters

Sabudana Khichdi is a very popular and common recipe made in Maharashtra. This is particularly popular when you’re fasting. Growing up, my family didn’t really fast as such. So my first introduction to Tapioca Sago was in college, when I met my significant other. He would bring it as his packed lunch to college. It became such an immediate hit in my group of friends, that he would bring two boxes packed to the brim. We’d demolish it in a few minutes. Thats when it got its name Boondi, as it resembles Boondi a little – Boondi is fried savoury chickpeas balls. Sabudana Khichdi, peanutty, salty and slightly sweet, now always reminds me of my first introduction to my late mother-in-law and college days.

How do you make it then?

Sabudana intimidated me initially. When I’d soak it, it would either be too mushy or under-soaked and extremely firm. That’s when my mum-in-law taught me the trick. Its about how much water you use when you soak the sago. Its a foolproof recipe and I’ve always achieved the best results.

Wash the sago thrice in water, and then pour the sago into a bowl, add water to the sago so that it is just about immersed in water (water level should be about 1 to 1.5 inches above the sabudana pearls) . Let it soak overnight. The next day, press the sabudana pearls, they should easily squish, that’s when you know they are ready. Be patient, follow this process and you’ll never be disappointed.

In Maharashtra, this dish is typically eaten when you’re fasting, but its such a delicious dish that I promise you it’ll make a regular appearance. Remember that sago can get very sticky because of the high starch content, so remember to use a non-stick pan. Otherwise be prepared for rigorous post-meal washing!

What else?

Sabudana Khichdi has such amazing ingredients. Peanuts lend the crunch and earthiness, where the combination of sugar, salt and lemon juice only makes things better. This dish also is gluten-free and vegan is the perfect addition to your meal plans, as you could batch cook this. I always serve the khichdi with a side of my peanutty yogurt, seasoned with salt, sugar and red chilli powder. Perfect always.

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Sabudana Khichdi | Nutty Tapioca

This salty sweet Sabudana Khichdi

Course

Main Dish

Cuisine

Indian

Keyword

sago, tapioca

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Servings

people

Ingredients

• 1 cup sabudana soaked in 1 cup of water overnight,
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 6-7 curry leaves frozen, dried or fresh
• 2 tbsp cumin seeds
• 2 Green Chillies finely chopped
• 2 medium potatoes peeled, chopped to bite size
• 4-5 tbsp crushed roasted peanuts
• 1 tsp red chilli powder
• 2 tsp sugar
• Salt to taste
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice

Course Main Dish Cuisine Indian Keyword sago, tapioca Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 20 mins Servings people Ingredients 1 cup sabudana soaked in 1 cup of water overnight, 2 tbsp vegetable oil 6-7 curry leaves frozen, dried or fresh 2 tbsp cumin seeds 2 Green Chillies finely chopped 2 medium potatoes peeled, chopped to bite size 4-5 tbsp crushed roasted peanuts 1 tsp red chilli powder 2 tsp sugar Salt to taste 1 tbsp Lemon juice

Recipe Notes

Soaking the Sabudana/Tapioca pearls

1. Rinse sabudana pearls in water.
2. Then, soak 1 cup of sabudana pearls in 1 cup of water overnight for best results.
3. Next day, check the pearls. They should easily squish when squeezed.
4. Add a little sugar, salt to season and some of the crushed peanuts. Set aside.

Roasted crushed peanuts

1. Roast peanuts on a low flame in a wide pan.
2. Once the peanuts are nicely roasted, cool them before coarsely grinding to a powder. 

To make the Sabudana Khichdi

1. Heat oil In a wide bottomed pan.
2. When the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds, chopped green chillies and curry leaves. Roast till aromatic.
3. Next add the potato pieces, and season.
4. Shut the lid and cook the potatoes until soft.
5. Now tip in the soaked sabudana/tapioca pearls. Mix well and cook until the tapioca pearls turn translucent.
6. Remember not to overcook, as the sabudana can get very sticky.
7. Serve hot with sweetened garlic and some crushed peanuts.

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