If you’re the type who likes to circle the globe through your kitchen, we have the perfect recipe for you today! Indian Kitchari Recipe has such a vibrant flavor that you’ll savor every bite. Yet, it’s so versatile the recipe can be tweaked to meet most dietary needs, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and meat options. Read ahead to find out how to make it yourself!
What is Indian Kitchari?
Kitchari means to blend or mix, the basis for this one-pot meal. It’s an ancient Indian tradition partly because of its warm, filling, and comforting nature and its health advantages. Indian kitchari does wonders for digestion and is often eaten as a cleanse, usually in the spring months.
Kitchari Recipe
We found this delicious basic recipe for kitchari on Ayurveda.com. It’s great because it can be modified in any way that suits your needs. Load up on veggies, or add some chicken or beef; it’s entirely up to you! You can buy the ingredients individually or try this kitchari kit by Banyan Botanicals to get you started. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- ½ cup basmati rice
- 1 cup mung dal (split yellow)
- 6 cups (approx.) water
- 1 inch fresh ginger root, chopped or grated
- ¼ tsp of mineral salt
- 2 tsp ghee
- ½ tsp coriander powder
- ½ tsp cumin powder
- ½ tsp whole cumin seeds
- ½ tsp mustard seeds
- ½ tsp turmeric (in powder form)
- 1 pinch asafoetida (hing)
- Handful of fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 and ½ cups assorted vegetables (optional)
Directions:
Thoroughly inspect both the rice and dal to remove any potential stones. Wash them separately, using at least two rounds of water for each. Combine the rice and dal in a pot with 6 cups of water, cover, and cook until they become tender, which should take approximately 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare your choice of vegetables by cutting them into small pieces. Incorporate these vegetables into the cooked rice and dal mixture and continue cooking for an additional 10 minutes.
In a separate saucepan, heat some ghee and sauté the seeds until they start popping. Then, blend the remaining spices together to unlock their flavors. Add the sautéed spice mixture to the cooked dal, rice, and vegetable blend.
Finish by sprinkling mineral salt and freshly chopped cilantro on top before serving.
We’d be delighted to hear about your experience with this recipe and any modifications you made to suit your preferences.
