Sabudana Khichdi/Tapioca Pearls

Today I woke up with this strong craving for sabudana khichdi. In college we used to visit the street vendor right outside our building for this afternoon snack. If you're a Maharashtrian or a Konkani you must definitely know of this dish.In my home it was known as sabudana usli/usal. It’s a snack food made out of tapioca pearls and peanuts. Nits and I both love this and I make it as a meal rather than a snack. Soaking of the sabudana (tapioca) is often said to be an art. I learnt it one way and this method has always worked so I always make it the exact same way. I have heard horror stories of sabudana turning into a giant congealed mass. Most often this happens due to bad soaking techniques and sometimes due to bad tapioca also. This is how I make it.

Ingredients (serves 2)

3 cups sabudana/tapioca pearls
1 ½ cups coarsely ground roasted peanuts
3 medium potatoes chopped and cooked
½ cup chopped cilantro leaves
1 tsp cumin seeds
3 green chillies
salt to taste
2 tsp sugar
lime juice (optional)


Method

Wash tapioca really well. Then soak in just 1 cm of water for 30 minutes, drain out water and keep aside covered for 2-4 hrs. The tapioca will turn larger and softer. Heat oil in a pot. Add cumin seeds, green chillies. Then add potatoes and fry for a minute or two. Add tapioca and ground peanuts. Mix well. Add salt, sugar and lemon juice. Mix, cover and cook for about 5 -10 minutes. Taste to add more sugar/salt /lemon juice as per your liking. Serve hot garnished with chopped cilantro leaves.