Namkeen Sabudana (Sago) Khichadi Recipe

Most people like to eat sago during fast. Sabudana Khichdi is a delicious Indian breakfast and fasting food for festivals like Navratri and Shivratri. It contains starch content, which keeps your stomach full for a long time. It’s tasty, it’s easy to make and keep you full for a long time. Sago khichdi can be prepared using two types of sabudana (sago), large and small. This easy to prepare recipe uses small sized pearl sabudana as it reduces the preparation time as well as gives even taste in every spoonful.

Ingredients

•  3/4 cup small pearl Sabudana (tapioca)
•  1/2 teaspoon Cumin Seeds
•  2 Green Chillies, seeded and finely chopped
•  5-7 Curry Leaves
•  1/4 teaspoon Garam Masala Powder
•  2 medium Potatoes, boiled, peeled and chopped
•  1/3 cup Roasted Peanuts, coarsely crushed
•  3 tablespoons grated dry Coconut
•  1/4 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
•  2 teaspoons Fresh Lemon Juice
•  2 teaspoons Sugar
•  2 tablespoons Cooking Oil
•  2 tablespoons finely chopped Fresh Coriander Leaves
•  1/2 cup Water
•  Salt

Nutritional Value Of Sabudana (Tapioca Pearls)

100 grams of tapioca pearls contain 10.99 g water and 358 kcal.

They also contain:

•  0.02 grams total lipid (fat)
•  0.19 grams protein
•  0.9 grams total dietary fibre
•  88.69 grams carbohydrates
•  3.35 grams sugar
•  1 milligram magnesium
•  20 milligrams calcium
•  1.58 milligrams iron
•  7 milligrams phosphorous
•  1 milligram sodium
•  11 milligrams potassium
•  0.004 milligrams thiamin
•  0.12 milligrams zinc
•  0.008 milligrams vitamin B6
•  4 µg folate

Procedure

1.  Wash and soak 3/4 cup sabudana in 1/2 cup water for 2 hours.
2.  After 2 hours, you will notice that its size has increased to almost double.
3.  Drain excess water, if any, and transfer it to a colander or a plate. Let it stand for 2 hours. If you do not let it stand for some time, then they may turn sticky while cooking.
4.  Heat oil or ghee over medium flame in a heavy based aluminum or non-stick pan (kadai). (Use of non-stick pan is recommended, as it will help prevent sticking while cooking). Add cumin seeds in heated oil. When seeds begin to crackle, add green chilli and curry leaves and sauté for 10 seconds.
5.  Add drained sabudana and mix thoroughly. Cook for 2-3 minutes while stirring continuously.
6.  Add turmeric powder and salt, mix well.
7.  Cook for 7-8 minutes over medium flame until sabudana turns translucent. Stir constantly. (Do not worry if sabudana turns light orange after cooking.)
8.  Add boiled potatoes, coarsely crushed peanuts, grated coconut, lemon juice, sugar and garam masala powder.
9.  Mix well and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
10.  Turn off the flame. Transfer khichdi to a serving bowl and garnish with coriander leaves.

Benefits Of Namkeen Sabudana (Sago) Khichadi

If you want to weight gain, sabudana are the right food as they contain good amounts of carbohydrates and calories. Around 100 grams of sabudana contain 88.69 grams carbohydrates and 358 calories. Eating more calories than what your body needs will make you gain weight. As sabudana is a starchy food, you will gain weight easily.

One of the main reasons why sabudana is a must-have food during Navratri fasting is it provides the body with energy . Some people break their fast with sabudana khichdi or pudding to give their body instant energy. Also, sago porridge is effectively known to treat excess bile as it provides a cooling effect to reduce the body's heat while you are on a fast.

If you are a vegetarian, sabudana is a great source of protein which is required for the growth of muscles, repairs damaged cells and tissues and also help in cell growth . Apart from muscle growth, this comfort food also lets you gain physical strength. So vegetarians, you can start eating sabudana for your daily protein intake. Also, if you want to build muscles sabudana can be a great food to have as a pre and post workout snack.

Although the mineral content in tapioca pearls is limited, they have calcium, magnesium and iron. All these minerals help in the creation of bone tissues which strengthens bone mineral density, prevents arthritis and osteoporosis . Have a bowl of sabudana khichdi daily to maintain bone health and improve bone flexibility.

Sabudana contains significant amounts of potassium which is known to keep your blood pressure under control. This mineral acts as a vasodilator which works by relaxing the tension in the blood vessels and open them up. This promotes healthy blood flow through the blood vessels, as a result, blood pressure is lowered and there is less strain in the heart.

Tapioca or sabudana is free of gluten, nuts and grains so people who are sensitive to gluten, having celiac disease and nut allergies will not have a problem consuming this food . You can use tapioca flour instead of refined white flour as the latter contains gluten. Tapioca flour is considered the best alternative to white flour

If you soak sabudana in excess water, then it will turn mushy and sticky.

If it is too dry while cooking (in step-7), then sprinkle 1 tablespoon water at a time over it and mix well. Sprinkle as much water as required until it is cooked and turns transparent. Do not add too much water in single go otherwise it will turn sticky.

If you are using large sized sago, then soak them overnight in water. 2 hours of soaking is not sufficient for it.