As India watches its new prime minister Narendra Modi with a mixture of excitement and trepidation, several articles have surfaced detailing his lifestyle. It is impossible to check the veracity of these articles, but Modi himself discusses his simple vegetarian food habits, and his preference for "khichdi" in the following interview (in Hindi).Thanks to Modi, the humble khichdi is a now front pager. Khichdi*; a mushy mix of rice and lentils is a comfort food for many Indians. It's closest American counterpart would probably be the peanut butter and jelly sandwich; simple yet wholesome and satisfying. This comparison is only for clarity's sake, and must go no further. The khichdi has a long history, and can be traced back to the writings of visitors to India in the 17th century, and also figured in the Mughal lore (16th century) . Khichdi is also a recommended food in the Ayurveda diet. While the khichdi has undergone several variations over time, with spices, nuts, raisins and, vegetables finding their way into it, it's simplest -rice and lentil- version is the one worth discussing here.
Khichdi is easily digestible, uses very little spice (except salt and turmeric), and is therefore a food recommended for both invalids, and on the other end of the spectrum as the first solid food for babies. As with everything traditional, the simple exterior of khichdi conceals its innate goodness. The rice and lentil combination of the khichdi provides several essential nutrients like protein, fiber, iron, amino acids etc. making it a complete protein. Add a blob of clarified butter, and a side of yogurt and vegetables to get a wholesome meal. See the recipe below along with some serving suggestions.
An interesting article article about the various adaptations (even royal) can be found here.
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khichdi
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