Samak Rice Khichdi (Vrat Barnyard Millet)

During Navratri and other fasts, many families avoid rice and wheat. Samak (barnyard millet, also called vrat ke chawal or sanwa) takes their place. This simple khichdi uses only fasting-friendly ingredients: rock salt, cumin, green chilli, potato and peanuts.

Video by NishaMadhulika on YouTube. Our recipe below is our own home-style version, written in our own words – quantities and steps may differ from the video.

• Serves 3
• Prep 10 min
• Cook 20 min
• Vegan · gluten-free · Mild
• Famous in Uttar Pradesh & Gujarat

Ingredients

• 150 g samak / barnyard millet, rinsed
• 450 ml water
• 2 tbsp ghee
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 green chilli, chopped
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 1 potato, diced small
• 3 tbsp roasted peanuts, crushed
• ¾ tsp sendha namak (rock salt)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• coriander

Method

1. Heat the ghee, add cumin, chilli and ginger, then the potato and fry for 4 minutes.
2. Add the millet and stir for 1 minute.
3. Pour in the water, add rock salt and bring to a boil.
4. Cover and cook on low heat for 10–12 minutes until the water is absorbed and the millet is soft.
5. Stir in peanuts, lemon and coriander and serve with fasting-friendly curd or aloo sabzi.

Tip: For fasting use only sendha namak (rock salt) – regular salt is avoided on many vrat days.

Shop the ingredients

Everything you need for this recipe is in stock at Farmah’s – order online or pick it up at Annenstraße 41, Graz.