Spicy Jain Masala Khichdi With Just 5 Ingredients

Sometimes the simplest recipes are the ones that stay with families, and Jain masala khichdi is like that. It is only five ingredients, but when you put them together in the right way, the result feels complete. The rice and dal boil down into a soft base, the ghee adds richness, and the masala powder blends in to give it depth. With only salt to balance, there is nothing extra, yet it feels like a full meal.

This khichdi is common in Jain homes because it avoids onion, garlic, and other heavy vegetables, and still there is no feeling that anything is missing. It gets made when people are fasting, when someone is unwell, or simply when time is short. Cooking is not complicated; you wash the rice and dal, put them to boil, add the masala and salt, and by the end it is done.

Even though the recipe looks very plain, the taste is homely and comforting. Some families like to eat it with curd, others put a spoon of pickle or a crunchy papad on the side. It becomes more about how you serve it than how many things you cook with. Children enjoy it because it is soft and mild, while adults like the masala flavour which gives it that little push.

The recipe also works for big batches, and you can double the amounts without worrying about spoiling the balance. If it thickens after cooling, you just mix in a bit of water and heat again, it becomes smooth right away. That is why many homes keep this recipe as a backup idea for days when there is no plan. It never feels like too much effort, yet it always brings comfort to the table.