Watanyachi Khichadi is a peas pulao from the Pathare Prabhu cuisine using their typical sambar powder.
This rice dish is more of a pulao than a Khichadi. By Khichdi, we have concluded that the rice dish has to have a lentil and the final cooked texture is gooey. So it was a surprise when I saw that this dish was more of a pulao texture after cooked.
Even Amma asked why I sent her a pulao when I had said I was making a Khichdi. This last one month of Khichdis has made everything expect a particular texture in it.
My initial choice was Wadi Chawal and I was banking on the wadis that Vaishali got for me. Since it's been over a couple of months, the wadi got spoiled and I couldn't source another batch anytime soon.
So I sent an SOS call to Vaishali and she promptly shared this Peas dish which is a popular Pathare Prabhu recipe.
Pathare Prabhu is one of the Hindu communities in the city of Mumbai. Members of this community are one of the original settlers in Mumbai, who migrated from Gujarat (Saurashtra) during the 13th century. They have their own traditional recipes and one of them is their version of Sambar Powder. (from WIKI)
I set out to make this along with the Sambar Powder for our dinner and I almost expected a gooey dish. I was surprised to a pulao which in turn made it possible for me to get my boys to eat this dish.
Watanyachi Khichadi which is actually Vatanyachi that refers to Peas in Marathi is my pick for W in the AtoZ Quick Under 30 Minutes, which is my theme in the Biryanis, Pulaos, Khichdi, and Mixed Rice. If you want to read some elaborate Biryanis, check out what I have for W in Spice your Life!
A to Z Quick Under 30 Minutes Meals
A for Achari Chana Vegetable Pulao
B for Bhuga Chawara
C for Cholia Chawal
D for Dal Khichdi
E for Ellu Sadam
F for Fodnicha Bhaat
G for Green Garlic Pulao
H for Hare Chane Ka Pulav
I for Ivygourd Masala Rice
J for Jevarisi Chitranna
K for Kadam Bhog
L for Lilva Pulao
M for Methi Matar wara Chawaran
N for Neyichor
O for Oralu Chitranna
P for Pariba Khechudi
Q for Quinoa Biryani
R for Raw Mango Rice
S for Shahzeera Pulav
T for Thinai Sambar Sadam
U for Ulundogorai
V for Vegetable Biryani
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Step By Step Pictures for making Watanyachi Khichadi 
Watanyachi Khichadi | Pathare Prabhu Peas Pulao
Ingredients Needed:
2 cups Basmati Rice
1 cup Peas
1 cup Onions
4 to 5 Cloves
1 inch Cinnamon
A Pinch Turmeric Powder
3/4 tsp Red Chili Powder
1 tsp Pathare Prabhu Sambhar Powder
Salt to taste
2-3 tbsp Ghee
Heat ghee in a pressure cooker, add cloves and cinnamon.
Next add chopped onions slices and sauté till pink.
Add green peas and rice and roast for 4-5 minutes.
Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, pathare Prabhu sambar powder, and salt.
Combine everything well and let it cook for a couple of minutes.
Add 4 cups water and cook for 4 whistles.
When the pressure falls, heat 1 tbsp ghee in a small pan, add half a tsp of red chili powder. Pour this over the cooked rice and mix well.
Serve with Batata Bhujana and Dahi.
Notes:
The original recipe calls for 1 cup rice with 1 cup peas, I almost reduced to less than a cup for 2 cups rice. I felt it will be too much of peas in it.
Watanyachi Khichadi | Pathare Prabhu Peas Pulao
Ingredients
- 2 cups Basmati Rice
- 1 cup Peas
- 1 cup Onions
- 4 to 5 Cloves
- 1 inch Cinnamon
- A Pinch Turmeric powder
- 3/4 tsp Red Chili powder
- 1 tsp Pathare Prabhu Sambhar Powder
- Salt to taste
- 2-3 tbsp Ghee
Instructions
- Heat ghee in a pressure cooker, add cloves and cinnamon.
- Add roughly chopped onions slices and sauté till pink.
- Add green peas and rice and roast for 4-5 minutes.
- Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, Pathare Prabhu sambar powder, and salt.
- Combine everything well and let it cook for a couple of minutes.
- Add 4 cups water and cook for 4 whistles.
- When the pressure falls, heat 1 tbsp ghee in a small pan, add half a tsp of red chili powder. Pour this over the cooked rice and mix well.
- Serve with Batata Bhujana and Dahi.
Notes
The entire collection of "Biryani / Pulao / Khichadi" Festival - A to Z Biryani / Pulao / Khichadi on SYL & A to Z Quick 30 Minutes Meals on C4AS
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Vaishali Sabnani says
Sad that the wadis got spoilt , had you checked earlier I could have sent another batch .
But this Pathare Prabhu Khichadi is awesome , we really enjoyed when I made it . Even I wondered why it was called Khichadi when it was more like a pulao .
The Khichadi has come out well and looks perfect!
Suma Gandlur says
It sounds like a flavorful and quick meal option. Going to check now that sambhar powder recipe from your another blog.
My local store ran out of wadis too and I somehow managed to prepare a wadi chawal with some mangodis I had. 🙂
Suma Gandlur says
Oops. I clicked on the sambhar powder link and thought you have posted the recipe. 🙂
harini says
Wow! What a rare find Valli. Definitely a filling meal.
Renu says
This is interesting. It actually looks like a pulao and also the fact that it does not have a dal/lentil in it. Looks yum.
Sushma Pinjala says
Pathare khichdi looks delicious.Got to know so many different variety of dishes through this theme. Lovely pick Valli.
Sharmila Kingsly says
This is really a feast,have read about this cusine and checked a Mutton recipe once..the masala is really delicious...
Gayathri Kumar says
This is the first time I am hearing about Pathare Prabhu cuisine. Need to read about it. The kichdi looks like peas pulao and even my daughter would love it for its texture.
Swati says
Never heard about this community and cuisine .. very interesting info. You are right the khichdi has a pulao texture and I am sure addition of sambhar powder must have added so much flavour and aroma to it.
Srividhya Gopalakrishnan says
Learned something new today about Pathare Prabhu cuisine. Bookmarked to look later. You are right about the kichadi texture and it looks more like pulav. Good pick for W.