Kitchiri Recipes

KITCHARI

Steps:

• Make the coconut-cilantro chutney: Place everything in a food processor or blender with 3 tablespoons cold water. Process to a paste. Chutney will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, though it will lose its vibrant color.
• Make the kitchari: Rinse dal and rice in several changes of water until water runs clear. Drain and set aside.
• In a large pot, heat ghee over medium-high. Add cumin seeds, mustard seeds and fennel seeds and cook, stirring, until mustard seeds pop, 1 to 2 minutes. Add remaining spices and ginger and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add dal and rice mixture, 10 cups water, salt, and vegetables. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer partially covered, stirring occasionally, until most of the water is absorbed and the rice and vegetables are tender, about 1 hour. Serve with chutney.

KITCHIRI

Steps:

• Cover the lentils or dhal with boiling water, and soak for 30 minutes.
• Drain and boil in fresh water for 10 minutes.
• Drain once more, and set aside.
• In a large saucepan, melt the butter or ghee, with the oil, and fry the onion and garlic for about 5 minutes.
• Add the rice, stir well to coat the grains in the ghee or butter and oil, then stir in the spices. Cook gently for a minute or so.
• Add the lentils, stock, tomato puree and seasoning. bring to the boil, then Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, until the stock is absorbed, and the lentils and rice are just soft.
• Stir in the coriander or parsley, and check the seasoning.
• Remove the cinnamon stick and bay leaves.

TOMATO & SPINACH KITCHARI

Steps:

• Tip the rice and lentils into a sieve and rinse thoroughly under cold, running water. Set aside.
• Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large saucepan or casserole. Add the onion along with a pinch of salt and fry over a medium-high heat for 10 mins or until golden. Stir through the ginger, garlic, turmeric, ground coriander, half the cumin seeds and the chilli powder and fry for 1 min. Add the rice and lentils to the pan and pour in the stock, bring to a simmer then cover, turn down and cook for 25 mins, stirring now and then, until the lentils have turned creamy. Add the tomatoes and spinach and cook for 5 mins.
• Heat the remaining oil in a small frying pan and add the remaining cumin seeds, cooking for 1 min. Spoon the lentils into four bowls, drizzle over the cumin oil and top with the chilli. Serve with warm chapatis, if you like.