Moriyo Khichdi/Sama Khichdi

EVENT: FOODIES_ REDOING OLD POSTS #21
For this event, Foodies_Redoing Old Posts my 21st recipe is Moriyo Khichdi or more popularly known as Sama Chawal or Samo Khichdi.
What is Moriyo?
Moriyo, Sama Chawal, Samo, Barnyard Millet, Sama, Samvat, Vari, Varai, Swang, Bhagar, shyama rice, kuthiravali, udalu are all different names for a grass seed. The grass seed from the cultivated crop(grown like rice in paddy fields), Echinochloa Frumentacea is not a grain or legume and therefore very popular during fasting days be it navratri fasting or ekadashi. Its wilder more natural cousin is Echinochloa colona which is also known as Jungle Grass, Deccan Grass or Awnless Barnyard Millet.
Health benefits of Including Moriyo or Little Millet in your diet
Not only rich in dietary fibre which helps digestion, but its also a very rich source of zinc, potassium, iron, calcium and phosphorus. Being gluten free, its ideal food for those suffering from Gluten intolerance. Low in calorie and easy to digest, its great to include it in your daily diet. With a low glycemic index, its ideal food for diabetics as it helps to control blood sugar.
How can you include Moriyo in your daily diet?
Making moriyo khichdi or rice like preparation is undoubtedly the most popular dish as it goes well with different curries and lentils. However, there are several other dishes you can prepare to enjoy moriyo:
- Samo and Potato Pattis
- Samo Shiro/Halwa
- Samo/Moriyo Kheer
- Farali Kadhi
- Farali Dhokra
- Farali Uttapam
- Swaty’s Sama Ke Chawal aur Gajar ki Kheer
- Poonam’s Barnyard Millet Upma
- Renu’s Samak Rice Khichdi with Potatoes
Ingredients required for Moriyo/Sama Khichdi
- Moriyo/ Sama – a little amount goes a long way. Its doubles in size after cooking
- Ghee or oil
- Spices like cinnamon, peppercorns, cloves, cumin seeds, sesame seeds
- Fresh Green Chillis and Ginger
- Cashew nuts or any nuts of your choice. Raisins too.
- Fresh or dried curry leaves for added flavour
- Salt – use rock salt or sendha namak for fasting and normal salt for non fasting days
- Water
Dietary Tips:
- Gluten free
- Vegan, replace ghee with oil
- Satvik
- Good for diabetics and those who have digestion problems
What is the group Foodies _Redoing Old Posts all about?
Updating posts with better photos or better write up or both is what the group Foodies_Redoing Old Posts started by Renu allows us to do. The advantage of rewriting the post in a better manner makes it more SEO friendly and good photos is what attracts your fans to check out the recipe.
Moriyo Khichdi/Sama Khichdi
4 servings
1 cup moriyo/sama/little millet/barnyard millet
3 cups water
1 tbsp ghee
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tbsp sesame seeds
1 tsp chilli paste or one chilli finely chopped
1 tsp ginger paste or finely chopped
12 -14 cashew nuts, cut into half
10 -12 raisins
6 cloves
8 peppercorns
½ inch cinnamon stick
1 tsp salt (sendha namak, rock salt)
8 -10 curry leaves
2 tbsps chopped fresh coriander
- Wash the moriyo and soak it in 1 cup of water for 30 minutes.
- Heat the ghee in a deep pan. When it is hot add the cloves, cinnamon, pepper and curry leaves.
- Add the cumin and sesame seeds. When they begin to splutter, add the raisins and cashew nuts.
- Ginger and chill paste are added next and stir fry for a few seconds.
- Tip the moriyo along with the water.
- Pour in the remaining 2 cups of water and add salt.
- Cover the pan partially and cook over medium heat. Stir frequently to avoid the water boiling over the pan and the moriyo sticking at the bottom.
- It cooks like rice, soaking up the water. Usually it gets done in 15 to 20 mins.
- Garnish with coriander and serve hot with potato curry, yogurt or farari kadhi.
Tips:
- Can make with yogurt. Cook it normally as above and just before serving add about ½ cup of yogurt.
- To make it into a meal on its own, add about a cup of chopped carrots and potatoes mixed while cooking the moriyo. Adjust the salt accordingly.
- Add turmeric and vegetables of your choice to make it into a filling and healthy meal on non fasting days.
- Make moriyo khichdi and serve it any curry of your choice as it easily replaces rice.
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If you do try this recipe then please either
- add a comment below,
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42 Comments
Sapna
March 20, 2020 at 9:43 pm
We make it during fasting only, I wonder why? Need to use it even when not fasting. Looks so delicious.
mayurisjikoni
March 21, 2020 at 11:04 pm
Yes Sapana, I now try to make it whenever I feel like not having rice or roti. I sometimes add lots of veggies to it too.
Mireille Roc (@ChefMireille)
March 21, 2020 at 6:31 pm
We generally only get one type of millet here – pearl millet unless we go to a specialty store but this looks like a wholesome bowl
mayurisjikoni
March 21, 2020 at 11:02 pm
It is a very healthy millet. Your best bet to buy this millet is at an Indian store.
Superduperkitchen -Niranjana Sankaranarayanan
March 24, 2020 at 9:29 am
They look so delicious and similar to the arising upma we make. Healthy millet to be included more in our diet. Loved it😊
mayurisjikoni
March 24, 2020 at 5:29 pm
Thank you so much Niranjana, and light on the tummy… so ideal replacement for rice.
ARCHANA
March 24, 2020 at 2:12 pm
I second Sapna! Why just during fasting this delicious khichidi needs to be part of our meal everyday. I love it its absolutely delicious.
mayurisjikoni
March 24, 2020 at 5:27 pm
Thank you so much Archana.
FoodTrails
March 25, 2020 at 4:32 am
I make ir during fasting days with vegetables.. I like te addition of raisins and cashew nuts here..I totally agree with others here why to make only on fasting days.. this nutritional millet can be had in place of rice on regular days too!!
mayurisjikoni
March 26, 2020 at 2:37 pm
That’s so true Swaty, just the other day I added a bit of yellow moong dal to it with a few veggies… perfect filling meal with some yogurt.
Heidi Roberts
March 26, 2020 at 1:17 am
I have never really tried millet – I must give it a try!
mayurisjikoni
March 26, 2020 at 2:34 pm
Heidi try it and you can add any veggies of your choice, its easy to cook and light on the stomach too.
shobhakeshwani
March 26, 2020 at 4:34 am
I wanted to make it during this Navratri but the situation is such that groceries are limited in the stores. Couldn’tget it.
mayurisjikoni
March 26, 2020 at 2:33 pm
Oh so sorry, when I went to buy my grocery and asked for samo, the shopkeeper told me that I’m the only one asking for it as others want to stock up on normal lentils and rice. Its a change from the usual dishes.
Jolly
March 26, 2020 at 10:45 am
This is one of my favorites. Loving all the awesome flavors in this vrat ki khichdi. A simple and perfect dish for fast!!
mayurisjikoni
March 26, 2020 at 2:31 pm
Thanks Jolly, its my favorite too.
hem lata srivastava
March 26, 2020 at 11:44 am
Woo oo shot, yumm looking khichdi
Perfect for fasting days. I make kheer and cutlet never tried pulao or khichdi. Looks so tempting
mayurisjikoni
March 26, 2020 at 2:31 pm
Thank you so much Hem Lata. try the khichdi with potato and carrot, it tastes good.
Batter Up With Sujata
March 27, 2020 at 5:40 pm
Sama khichdi looks absolutely delicious. And also loved the pictures. Its a fasting food but I think we can enjoy it anytime.
mayurisjikoni
March 27, 2020 at 8:20 pm
Thanks Sujata, yes its one of the healthy grains so its good to include in your diet.
Preethicuisine
March 29, 2020 at 12:34 pm
This Khichdi is so nutritious and perfect to have during fasting period. Interesting share .
mayurisjikoni
March 30, 2020 at 9:02 pm
Thank you so much Preethi… can have it even on others days when not fasting.
blessmyf🍎🍏dbypayal
March 31, 2020 at 9:43 am
Simple and elegant recipe. A perfect treat for fasting. Would love to try it soon.
mayurisjikoni
March 31, 2020 at 5:31 pm
Thanks Shailender. Yes, its a perfect meal for fasting days and otherwise.
Lata Lala
March 31, 2020 at 7:46 pm
Sama khichdi looks perfect and so delicious. It’s simple, light and healthy meal for fasting or no fasting.
mayurisjikoni
March 31, 2020 at 10:01 pm
That’s so true Lata, even good on non fasting days. Thanks
Jagruti’s Cooking Odyssey
March 31, 2020 at 10:43 pm
We’ve been eating fasting Moriyo khichdi since edges, in Gujarat India and here we add minimum spices for the fasting version and generally cloves are avoided during fasting season.
mayurisjikoni
April 1, 2020 at 3:39 pm
Thanks Jagruti, it all depends on what families choose to use. I’ve grown up with family that added cloves, cinnamon and pepper to fasting food. My mum also would add fresh grated turmeric.
Sandhya Nadkarni
April 1, 2020 at 3:32 am
Love the taste of samo whether I am fasting or not! I like your recipe with sesame seeds, nuts and raisins. Will try it soon as I do have samo in the house!
mayurisjikoni
April 1, 2020 at 3:35 pm
Thanks Sandhya.. I too love samo.
Pavani
April 1, 2020 at 6:42 am
Love this simple sama khichdi. Looks so healthy, nutritious and delicious. I have all the ingredients – will make this recipe very soon.
mayurisjikoni
April 1, 2020 at 3:34 pm
Thanks Pavani… try it, its so healthy and delicious.
jayashreetrao
April 2, 2020 at 1:18 pm
I am yet to try this, looks good and ideal to use anytime. I should make a small quantity and check if these like at home..
mayurisjikoni
April 2, 2020 at 9:22 pm
Thanks Jayashree, hope your family likes it.. its a very healthy meal
Renu Agrawal Dongre
April 3, 2020 at 5:33 am
I like this khichdi be it fast or not fast as it is easy to digest and light on the tummy. I make it a bit different without adding cinnamon and cloves. I would love to try this next time with this additions.
mayurisjikoni
April 3, 2020 at 8:47 pm
Thanks Renu, I also sometimes add finely chopped carrot and potato as a one meal option.
Priya Srinivasan
April 3, 2020 at 1:48 pm
I cook with samo almost everyday! this khichdi with kadhi sounds delicious!!! Simple yet scrumptious meal!
mayurisjikoni
April 3, 2020 at 8:43 pm
Thanks Priya, its healthy to have it everyday.
Padma Veeranki / Masalakorb
April 3, 2020 at 7:36 pm
Delicious and healthy recipe….Perfect for the fasting season!! Love all the simple flavours in the khichdi…Yummy 😋
mayurisjikoni
April 3, 2020 at 8:41 pm
Thank you so much Padma.
Sasmita Sahoo Samanta
April 4, 2020 at 3:58 pm
This is a simple and quick khichdi using Barnyard Millet particular during festive time.. addition of raisins and cashew nuts must be adding a nice taste and crunch to the dish…..
mayurisjikoni
April 4, 2020 at 10:59 pm
Thanks Sasmita, yes the raisins and cashew nuts do add a lovely taste and crunch too.