• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cook with Kushi
  • Home
  • About
    • Privacy policy
    • Disclaimer
  • Advertise
  • FAQ
  • Contact Me
  • Media
  • Blog
  • Easy and Healthy Recipes for the Family
  • Recipe Index
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • About
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Resources
    • About
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Navratri Recipes

    Samak Chawal Pulao | Samvat Rice Khichdi for Navratri Fasting, Upvas, Vrat

    Published: Aug 25, 2021 · Modified: Sep 23, 2022 by Kushi · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Samak Chawal Pulao or Barnyard Millet Pilaf is quick and easy to make, flavorful & fluffy, one-pot or one-pan recipe that can be prepared in less than 30 minutes. It becomes even more wholesome, satisfying, and tasty when you add more vegetables to the recipe.

    Samak Chawal Pulao or Vrat Chawal Khichdi served on banana leaf

    Jump to:
    • About the recipe
    • Ingredients
    • How to make Vrat ke Chawal pulao or Farali Khichdi or One Pan Pilaf
    • Tips and substitutes:
    • Instant Pot Barnyard Millet Pilaf (Weight loss recipe)
    • More Navratri Recipes
    • Video recipe
    • FAQs
    • Recipe card
    • User Reviews

    About the recipe

    This pilaf is also known by some other names given below
    Samak Chawal Pulao | Vrat ke Chawal Ka Upma | Varai Pulav | Sama Rice Khichdi | Samvat Upma | Barnyard Millet Pilaf | Farali Samak Recipe | Mordhan Khichdi | Moraiyo Pulao | Bhagar Khichdi | Fada Ni Khichdi

    Sama, Samak, Samo or Samvat is used primarily during fasting days like Navratri, Ekadashi, or Karwa Chauth since rice or any cereal grains are not consumed on these days. Thus it is commonly called vrat ke chawal in India. Some other names are barnyard millet, shamula, sama, shama, shamul, kudirai valu, bonta chamulu, vara, varai, sanwa, samwa, swany, warai, oodalu (Did I miss any? do comment below :-))

    Because of its health benefits and simplicity, you can make this one-pot Indian dish for regular breakfast, lunch boxes, or any meal. This dish is vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free. I have given the instruction for both stovetop and instant pot.

    I have used Barnyard Millet to make this pilaf recipe. You can also use foxtail millet, little millet, kodo millet, or quinoa. The steps are the same.

    Easy and healthy samak chawal khichdi for vegetarian meal and weight loss
    Is millet healthy?

    Consuming any millet is always healthy as it is a good source of protein, carbs, and fiber. Millets generally have more micronutrients like iron and zinc than any other cereals or grains. It is suitable for a gluten-free, vegan, and weight-loss diet. Also diabetic friendly.

    Ingredients

    1 cup Barnyard Millet or Samak Chawal (Check tips for substitute)
    1 tablespoon Cooking oil
    1 Bay leaf
    2 Peppercorns
    1 Clove
    ½ inch Cinnamon stick
    1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
    8 Curry leaves
    1 tablespoon Ginger, finely chopped
    2 Green chilies, finely chopped
    1 tablespoon Cashews, chopped
    2 tablespoon Roasted Peanuts
    1 tablespoon Almonds
    1 Potato, chopped into cubes
    ¼ cup, Carrot, chopped into cubes (skip if you cannot eat during fasting)
    2 ½ cups Water
    ½ teaspoon Salt or Sendha Namak , adjust to taste
    ½ teaspoon Garam masala powder or curry powder (skip if not allowed to eat during fasting)
    1 tablespoon Cilantro or Coriander leaves, chopped
    1 ½ tablespoon Lemon juice, adjust to taste

    Samvat Rice Khichdi or Vrat Ke Chawal Ka Upma for Navratri, Ekadashi fasting

    How to make Vrat ke Chawal pulao or Farali Khichdi or One Pan Pilaf

    Soak the millet or samak chawal in enough water for 30 minutes. Wash and drain them. Keep it aside.

    In a pan on medium heat, add oil. Once hot, add bay leaf, peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon stick, cumin seeds, and saute for few seconds.

    Add curry leaves, ginger, green chilies, and saute for few seconds. Next, add cashews, peanuts, almonds, and continue sauteing until nuts turn golden in color.

    Add potatoes and carrots and saute for a minute. Finally, add samak chawal (millet), water, salt, garam masala powder, and stir.

    Once this comes to a boil, cover and cook it on a medium flame for 10 minutes or until all the water has been absorbed and millet has cooked through. Cover it and keep it for few more minutes. Check video for more details

    Finally, add cilantro and lemon juice and toss to combine.

    Farali khichdi, vrat ke chawal , healthy weight loss recipe

    Tips and substitutes:

    • You can even use foxtail millet, little millet, kodo millet, or quinoa instead of barnyard millet.
    • This recipe is very flexible. Use spices available in your pantry.
    • If you are not fasting, you add even add sauteed onions and garlic.
    • Instead of water, you may use vegetable broth.
    • You may add beans, cauliflower, broccoli, green peas to make the pilaf even more nutritious.
    • Adjust all the ingredients and spices to taste.
    • I like pilaf with a fluffy consistency, as you see in the picture. The water to millet ratio given above works perfectly fine for me on medium flame. If you want a porridge consistency, add more water and cook for a longer time.
    • Depending on the intensity of the flame, the total cooking time may vary.
    Top view of healthy weight loss samak chawal or millet pulao recipe

    Instant Pot Barnyard Millet Pilaf (Weight loss recipe)

    Press the SAUTE button on your Instant Pot. Add oil. Once hot, add bay leaf, peppercorns, clove, cinnamon, cumin seeds, and saute for few seconds. Next add curry leaves, ginger, green chilies, cashew, peanuts, almonds, and saute for a minute.

    Add potatoes, carrots, and saute for another 30 seconds to 1 minute. Next, add soaked and drained millet with 2 to 2 ¼ cups of water.

    Secure the lid by making sure the steam valve is in a sealed position. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure. Carefully remove the lid once the steam has escaped.

    Fluff the millet with a fork. Add lemon juice, garnish with some cilantro and enjoy.

    One pot or One pan samak chawal, samvat rice or millet pulao served on copper pan

    More Navratri Recipes

    • Vrat wale Aloo
    • Vrat wale chana masala - must try
    • Sookha Kala Chana
    • Vrat wale Paneer
    • Sabudana Khichdi
    • Dahi Bhindi
    • Samo rice chawal upma
    Check out some interesting Indian food recipes
    • Best Indian Desserts & Sweets
    • Navratri Recipes for 9 Days
    • Diwali Sweets Recipes
    • Diwali Snacks Recipes
    • Fasting upvas vrat recipes
    • Popular & Easy Burfi Recipes

    Video recipe

    Check out the video recipe on making of varai pulao (upma) or samak chawal khichdi.

    Navratri, Ekadashi chawal recipe made using simple ingredients.

    FAQs

    What is samo rice or samak chawal made of?

    Samo rice or Samak is actually not rice. It's barnyard millet which is nutritious and high in fiber. Since it is mainly consumed during Navratri for all meals it is called vrat ke chawal.

    Is samo rice or samak chawal or samvat good for diabetes?

    Samo rice has a low glycemic index, high in fiber which helps to control sugar levels better.

    Is Samak chawal good for weight loss?

    Samo rice or millet is low in calories and high in fiber which helps in weight loss.

    What are the substitutes for Samak chawal on a daily basis?

    You can substitute it with any millet like foxtail, kodo millet, little millet or the very popular quinoa.

    Recipe card

    How to make vrat ke chawal or millet pulao for fasting

    Samak Chawal Pulao | Samvat Rice Khichdi for Navratri fasting, Vrat, Upvas | Varai Upma

    Kushi
    Samak Chawal Pulao or Barnyard Millet Pilaf is quick and easy to make, flavorful & fluffy, one-pot or one-pan recipe that can be prepared in less than 30 minutes. It becomes even more wholesome, satisfying, and tasty when you add more vegetables to the recipe.
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Resting Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch, Snack
    Cuisine Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, north indian, South Indian, Tamil Nadu, west bengal
    Servings 6
    Calories 219 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Pan or Instant Pot

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup  Barnyard Millet or Samak ke Chawal or Vari (check tips for substitute)
    • 1 tablespoon Cooking oil
    • 1  Bay leaf
    • 2 Peppercorns
    • 1 Clove
    • ½ inch  cinnamon stick
    • 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
    • 8 Curry leaves
    • 1 tablespoon Ginger, finely chopped (skip if not allowed to eat during fasting)
    • 2 Green chilies, finely chopped
    • 1 tablespoon Cashews, chopped
    • 2 tablespoon Roasted Peanuts
    • 1 tablespoon Almonds
    • 1 Potato, chopped into cubes
    • ¼ cup Carrot, chopped into cubes (skip if not allowed to eat during fasting)
    • 2 ½ cups  Water
    • ½ teaspoon Salt, adjust to taste
    • ½ teaspoon Garam masala powder or curry powder (skip if not allowed to eat during fasting)
    • 1 tablespoon  Cilantro or Coriander leaves, chopped
    • 1 ½ tablespoon Lemon juice, adjust to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Soak the millet or samak chawal in enough water for 30 minutes. Wash and drain them. Keep it aside.
      1 cup  Barnyard Millet or Samak ke Chawal or Vari
    • In a pan on medium heat, add oil. Once hot, add bay leaf, peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon stick, cumin seeds, and saute for few seconds.
      1 tablespoon Cooking oil, 1  Bay leaf, 2 Peppercorns, 1 Clove, ½ inch  cinnamon stick, 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
    • Add curry leaves, ginger, green chilies, and saute for few seconds. Next, add cashews, peanuts, almonds, and continue sauteing until nuts turn golden in color.
      8 Curry leaves, 1 tablespoon Ginger, finely chopped, 2 Green chilies, finely chopped, 1 tablespoon Cashews, chopped, 2 tablespoon Roasted Peanuts, 1 tablespoon Almonds
    • Add potatoes and carrots and saute for a minute. Finally, add samak chawal (millet), water, salt, garam masala powder, and stir. Check video for more details
      1 Potato, chopped into cubes, ¼ cup Carrot, chopped into cubes, 2 ½ cups  Water, ½ teaspoon Salt, adjust to taste, ½ teaspoon Garam masala powder or curry powder
    • Once this comes to a boil, cover and cook it on a medium flame for 10 minutes or until all the water has been absorbed and millet has cooked through. Switch off the flame. Cover it and keep it for few more minutes.
    • Finally, add cilantro and lemon juice and toss to combine.
      1 tablespoon  Cilantro or Coriander leaves, chopped, 1 ½ tablespoon Lemon juice, adjust to taste

    Instant Pot Barnyard Millet Pilaf

    • Press the SAUTE button on your Instant Pot. Add oil. Once hot, add bay leaf, peppercorns, clove, cinnamon, cumin seeds, and saute for few seconds. Add curry leaves, ginger, green chilies, cashew, peanuts, almonds, and saute for a minute.
    • Add potatoes, carrots, and saute for another 30 seconds to 1 minute. Next, add soaked and drained millet with 2 to 2 ¼ cups of water.
    • Secure the lid by making sure the steam valve is in a sealed position. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure. Carefully remove the lid once the steam has escaped.
    • Fluff the millet with a fork. Add lemon juice, garnish with some cilantro and enjoy.

    Notes

    • You can even use foxtail millet, little millet, kodo millet, or quinoa instead of barnyard millet.
    • This recipe is very flexible. Use spices available in your pantry.
    • If you are not fasting, you add even add sauteed onions and garlic.
    • Instead of water, you may use vegetable broth.
    • You may add beans, cauliflower, broccoli, green peas to make the pilaf even more nutritious.
    • Adjust all the ingredients and spices to taste.
    • I like pilaf with a fluffy consistency, as you see in the picture. The water to millet ratio given above works perfectly fine for me on medium flame. If you want a porridge consistency, add more water and cook for a longer time.
    • Depending on the intensity of the flame, the total cooking time may vary.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 219kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 5gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.01gSodium: 280mgPotassium: 231mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 952IUVitamin C: 37mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    For more recent updates, follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. 

    ***Click below to save it on Pinterest***

    3 different images of vrat ke chawal, sama rice, barnyard millet pulao, healthy weight loss food

    More Best Navratri Recipes Ideas (Vrat special)

    • Rabdi (Rabri) - Indian sweet dessert made with milk, sugar, cardamom, saffron and nuts.
      Rabdi Recipe | Rabri
    • Sabudna millet khichdi recipe. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free one-pot meal idea.
      Sabudana Millet Khichdi - One Pot Meal
    • Doodh Pak Recipe | Traditional Indian Rice Pudding Dessert | Rice Kheer Sweet.
      Doodh Pak Recipe | Indian Rice Pudding
    • Dragon Fruit Sago Drink Recipe | Tapioca Drink | Easy Sabudana Dessert Recipe.
      Dragon Fruit Sago Drink | Tapioca Drink

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Matt Taylor

      September 23, 2021 at 11:33 am

      5 stars
      This millet pilaf dish looks incredible! I can't wait to give it a try, looks pretty easy to make too!

      Reply
    2. Sara

      September 23, 2021 at 2:01 pm

      This looks absolutely delicious! Oh my goodness! I'll be making this millet pilaf dish as soon as possible. Cannot wait! Thank you for sharing the recipe with us <3

      Reply
    3. Rachna

      April 07, 2022 at 8:16 am

      Hi. Does this have to be eaten hot? I want to pack in a lunch box but have No access to reheat it.

      Reply
      • Kushi

        April 09, 2022 at 4:30 am

        Not necessary. It will taste good even at room temperature.

        Reply
    « Older Comments
    5 from 10 votes (2 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Sridevi! I am a Software Engineer by qualification, a full-time Food Blogger by passion, a self-published Author, and a happy person two kids (monsters) ago.

    More about me →

    Best Casseroles

    • green bean casserole recipe from scratch with fresh beans, and fried onions, without mushroom soup
      Best Green Bean Casserole Recipe | Thanksgiving and Christmas Green Beans
    • cheesy corn casserole served in a baking pan along with a slice of toasted bread.
      Baked Corn Cheese Casserole | Cheesy Creamed Corn

    Chicken Recipes

    • Best, simple and authentic Indian butter chicken recipe (murgh makhani) with naan, roti, chapati.
      Indian Butter Chicken Recipe | Best Chicken Makhani
    • Best and easy chicken pulao with spicy and flavorful chicken thigh and drumsticks.
      Easy Chicken Pulao | Spicy One Pot Chicken Rice Pilaf

    See more Chicken recipes →

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer

    Contact

    • Contact
    • FAQ
    Lists the popular websites in which cookwithkushi.com was featured.

    Copyright © 2024 Cook With Kushi

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.