Ekadasi vratham is observing total fast (suddha upavasam) on Ekadasi tithi. Those who cannot observe a complete fast, the elders and children are permitted to observe this vratham by taking fruits and milk. Grains, rice and hing are not permitted on fasting days and certain restrictions are there in vegetables too. Sabudhana khichdi is a popular Maharashtrian vrat (fasting) recipe. Its a flavourful dish even without hing and with the aroma of peanuts and sago in ghee. Its very easy to make. This recipe serves two.
Quite often people end up with sticky , rubbery khichdi and many end up without the glossy, translucent look of this. My way of preparing this khichdi is guilty free of sticky khichdi with the pearls separated and translucent also. Just follow the simple steps and you will definitely get a perfect, non-sticky and glass like khichdi.
INGREDIENTS:
Sago(Javvarisi/sabudana) - 1 1/4 cup
(medium sized, regular variety and NOT the nylon one)
Peanuts (coarsely ground) - 1/4 cup
Peanuts without skin - 1 tablespoon
Potato - 2 medium sized
Salt - as per taste (approx. 1 level tsp.)
Ghee - 3 tablespoons
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp.
Green chillies - 2 or 3 (finely chopped)
Curry leaves - 2 sprigs
Lemon - 1
Scraped coconut - 1 tablespoon
Coriander leaves - few
METHOD:
Clean the sago without mud and stones, wash gently two or three times and drain the water completely. Now pour in VERY LITTLE WATER, JUST TO COVER OR IMMERSE THE SAGO AND KEEP ASIDE FOR 2 HOURS. Rake the sago gently with a fork once an hour.
Boil, peel and cut the potatoes to small pieces.
After 2 hours, separate the sago pearls gently with your hand. By this time the sago would have absorbed all the water. It will be moist but no trace of water will be there. Add the salt , mix well but gently.
Heat little ghee in a pan, fry the peanuts without skin in ghee. Keep aside. In the same pan, add remaining ghee, and when hot, add cumin seeds, when they sizzle, add chopped green chillies and curry leaves. Now add the potatoes, little salt (just for the potato) and saute for 2 minutes. Now add the coarsely ground peanuts and sago. Mix everything well.
Now, sprinkle a spoon of water with your hand on this and cover with a lid. Repeat it two or three times until the sago turns translucent. Stir gently each time.This process takes about 3 minutes. Add the scraped coconut. Mix gently. Switch off the stove, squeeze the juice of a lime. Again mix gently.
Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with coriander leaves and top with ghee-fried peanuts.
Sabudana khichdi is ready. Serve hot.