Elderly-Friendly Khichdi

Ingredients

• 0.5 cup Basmati rice (washed and soaked)
• 0.25 cup Moong dal (split yellow lentils, washed and soaked)
• 3 cup Water (more if a thinner consistency is desired)
• 0.25 tsp Turmeric powder
• Salt (to taste; use sparingly for seniors)
• 1 tsp Ghee (for serving)
• 0.5 cup Dahi (plain yogurt, for serving on the side)

Steps

1. 1

   Rinse the rice and moong dal together under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak them in water for about 15-20 minutes, then drain.

2. 2

   In a pressure cooker or a heavy-bottomed pot, add the soaked rice, dal, 3 cups of water, turmeric powder, and a small pinch of salt.

3. 3

   If using a pressure cooker, cook for 3-4 whistles on medium heat until the mixture is very soft and mushy. If using a regular pot, bring to a boil, then cover and simmer on low heat for 20-25 minutes, adding more water if necessary to achieve a porridge-like consistency.

4. 4

   Once cooked, mash the khichdi slightly with the back of a spoon to ensure a soft texture that is easy to swallow.

5. 5

   Serve warm with a small dollop of ghee on top and a side of fresh dahi (yogurt) to aid digestion.

Notes

For elderly nutrition, focus on soft textures. Avoid adding hard spices (like whole peppercorns or cloves) or heavy frying. Steamed vegetables can be mashed into the khichdi for added vitamins.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• vegetarian
• soft food
• senior-friendly
• healthy
• comfort food
• indian