“PM Modi taught me how to make Sabudana Khichdi”: The story of this comforting meal and 6 ways to make it

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's love for khichdi is known to the world. From Mann ki Baat to the international podium, he has expressed his love for khichdi everywhere. And why not? It is one of the simplest and most comforting one-pot meals enjoyed across India. While he has often mentioned how he used to make Dal Khichdi during his early days in politics, not many of us know that he even knows the art of cooking Sabudana Khichdi. Wondering how? Scroll down to read this report and learn other dishes you can make at home.

According to a PTI report from June 2022, it was during PM Modi's trip to Shimla when a local BJP leader's wife recalled how he had taught her to cook the perfect Sabudana Khichdi, when he was in charge of the party's Himachal Pradesh unit in the late 90s. The report states that it was during Navratras in 1997, when Seema Sharma, wife of local BJP leader Deepak Sharma, told PTI that when she had cooked khichdi for Prime Minister Modi, it did not meet his expectations. He then showed her how to cook the dish. The report clarifies that in 1997, Narendra Modi was staying at the Peterhoff Hotel during the second Navratras, when he called upon Deepak leader Sharma's wife to cook the khichdi for him. Since then, she has been making khichdi the way Narendra Modi taught her.

According to a study by PMC, sago possesses the physical and chemical properties to be suitable as a supplement during exercise in a warm, humid environment where it is commonly grown and consumed. It is light on the stomach and easy to digest, making it suitable for people recovering from illness or those with weak digestion. Due to its high calorie content, it is good for those who wish to gain weight. It contains small amounts of protein and minerals like calcium and iron, which contribute to muscle and bone health. Also, naturally gluten-free, sabudana is a good option for people with gluten intolerance or those following a gluten-free diet. It is also rich in potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and supports heart health. Due to its high calorie content, sabudana can help in healthy weight gain when included in a balanced diet. Sabudana contains small amounts of protein, calcium, and iron, which contribute to muscle strength and bone health. According to Ayurveda, it has a natural cooling property, which helps balance excess heat in the body and is especially beneficial during summer or when Pitta dosha is aggravated.

This is a comforting South Indian dish, where you saute soaked sabudana with mustard seeds, curry leaves, green chilies, and veggies like peas and carrots and then season it with salt and pepper and cook until the pearls turn translucent. Garnish with coriander leaves and peanuts and enjoy it warm.

Sabudana chilla makes for a healthy and filling breakfast dish. To make it, you need to combine soaked sabudana, boiled and mashed potatoes, crushed peanuts, chili, and rock salt. Cook the chillas on a greased tawa using enough ghee or oil and serve hot with curd and chutney on the side.

It is one of the most popular snack dishes enjoyed in Maharashtra. It is made with soaked sabudana mixed with rice flour, boiled and mashed potatoes and seasoned with salt, pepper, lemon juice, coriander leaves, coriander powder and amchoor powder. Shaped into small doughnut-like rings and deep fried to perfection they are best served with mint chutney.

It is a sweet and flavorful dessert where soaked sabudana is simmered in boiling milk and sweetened with jaggery or sugar. This dish has a creamy texture and is best served chilled with a garnish of nuts and saffron strands.

This is a vrat-friendly snack made with soaked sabudana mixed with kuttu atta and mashed boiled potatoes, seasoned with salt and pepper, shaped into patties and shallow-fried to perfection.

Sabudana paratha is a healthy flatbread made with soaked sabudana combined with flour and cooked on a greased tawa using enough oil or ghee. It is best enjoyed with curd and pickle.

This is a deep-fried snack that goes well with evening chai. Mix soaked sabudana with chopped onions, ginger, green chilies, and gram flour, then deep fry the batter into golden fritters and serve hot with mint-coriander chutney.

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