Try this Sabudana Khichdi recipe
Tapioca pearls carry the entire textural weight of this dish, requiring precise hydration to prevent them from dissolving into a sticky paste or remaining hard in the center. Rinsing the starch off the dry pearls thoroughly under cold running water removes surface residue before soaking. Submerge the washed pearls in just enough water to cover their top surface by about one centimeter, allowing them to plump slowly over several hours until each sphere expands evenly and yields softly under slight fingertip pressure without turning mushy.
Controlling moisture during cooking dictates whether the khichdi achieves distinct, separate grains or clumps together. Heat the pan over medium heat, ensuring the base is hot before introducing tempered spices and soaked tapioca. Toasting the mixture gently allows any residual water to evaporate cleanly while preventing the pearls from scorching against the metal surface. Fold in coarsely crushed peanuts near the end of cooking to add structural crunch and absorb any lingering surface moisture, producing a dish with contrasting textures between the tender interior of the tapioca and the nutty exterior coating.