Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
indian porridge kitcheri topped with yogurt, lemon, radish and fresh herbs

Kitcheri

  • Author: Michal Martinek
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4

Description

Nutritious porridge-like Indian dish made with rice, legumes, and fresh vegetables.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 tablespoons ghee
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ cup peeled, finely diced carrots (about 1 medium carrot)
  • ½ cup trimmed, finely chopped celery (about 2 celery stalks)
  • ½ cup finely chopped cilantro or parsley
  • 1 tablespoon peeled, grated ginger (about 1 small knob ginger)
  • ¼ cup basmati rice, rinsed
  • ¼ cup lentils (any kind) or split mung beans, rinsed
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups water or vegetable stock
  • 2 cups of your favorite vegetables (such as zucchini, broccoli, or cauliflower), finely chopped
  • ½ cup soft-leaf vegetables (such as spinach, chard, dandelion), finely chopped
  • Topping ideas
  • Sliced avocado
  • Sliced radish
  • Lemon wedge
  • Fermented vegetables
  • Greek yogurt

Instructions

  1. Melt 2 tablespoons of the ghee in a heavy-bottom saucepan over medium heat. Add the turmeric and cumin, and sauté, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes.
  2. Add the carrots, celery, cilantro, and ginger to the pan and sauté, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes. Mix in the rice, lentils, and salt. Sauté, stirring frequently, for 2–3 minutes.
  3. Pour in the water or stock, add the 2 cups of vegetables, and bring to a simmer over high heat.
  4. Lower the heat to low and cook with the lid off, stirring occasionally, until the rice, lentils, and vegetables are soft and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 35–40 minutes. It should have a consistency of runny risotto or thick soup.
  5. Turn the heat off. Stir in 1 tablespoon of ghee, along with the soft-leaf vegetables. Cover with a lid, and let sit for another 10 minutes.
  6. Serve topped with sliced avocado, radish, fermented vegetables, lemon wedge, or Greek yogurt.