Indian Kitchari Recipe

by Ari
Kitchari – Rice and Lentil Comfort Food - Mung Dal

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Indian Kitchari – rice and lentil comfort food, also known as khichdi or khichuri, is used when someone is feeling uncomfortable with their stomach and intestines or to get digestion going again. It is a traditional recipe in Indian cuisine and is eaten throughout India.

Dal Kitchari is an easy stew made with rice and mung dal lentils that can be cooked in under 30 minutes. Many people refer to Kitchari as food for babies and sick people because it can be very bland in taste. But a well-made and balanced flavored Kitchari is very tasty, high in protein, healthy and nutritious. Served with ghee (if not vegan) and pickles to spice it up even more.

Kitchari – Rice and Lentil Comfort Food - Mung Dal
Kitchari – Rice and Lentil Comfort Food – Mung Dal

Kitchari – Mung dal and Rice

The name of the dish Kitchari derives from the Sanskrit term “Khicca”, which means something like: from rice & legumes. The most common lentil used to make Kitchari is moond dal .
According to Ayurveda, Mung Dal can naturally help to detoxify the body naturally. Mung Dal is considered a light, nutritious, high-protein and easily digestible lentil.
Indian Kitchari is also given to babies as the first food, sick people are given to recover during and after an illness and it is also regularly consumed by normal people for breakfast anyway.

As such, Kitchari is not native to any regional cuisine in India and is thus made in many different variations. The easiest way to prepare dal Kitchari is to boil rice and lentils with salt until they have a mushy texture. Then sprinkled with some ghee and served hot. Of course, this sounds a bit boring and bland, so to the base, of rice and mung dal, of Ayurvedic Kitchari, cumin, turmeric, ginger, salt and other various ingredients or spices are added. Vegetables can also be used optionally based on body type.

Our simple Indian Kitchari recipe is super tasty and quick to prepare. For this reason, Kitchari – rice and lentil comfort foods often make it for breakfast or dinner. This usually includes lassi and mango pickles .

Kitchari – Rice and Lentil Comfort Food - Mung Dal
Kitchari – Rice and Lentil Comfort Food – Mung Dal

if you like our Indian Kitchari, you may also be interested in these recipes:

Kitchari – Rice and Lentil Comfort Food - Mung Dal
Kitchari – Rice and Lentil Comfort Food – Mung Dal
Kitchari – Rice and Lentil Comfort Food - Mung Dal

Kitchari recipe – Rice and lentil porridge

Ari
Kitchari is the epitome of Indian home cooking. Kitchari is a belly and detox spa! Kitchari consists of a mixture of rice and lentils cooked together with spices and herbs. The rice and lentil mixture is boiled in water or vegetable broth and then served with cooked vegetables and spices. Kitchari can be prepared as a vegetarian or meat dish.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course ayurvedic, Breakfast & Brunch, garnish, healthy recipes, main dish, vegetable recipes
Cuisine India
Servings 4 portions
Calories 462 kcal

Equipment

  • kitchen grater*
  • Cooking pot*
  • cooking spoon*
  • Bowl bowls*

Ingredients
  

Topping / side dish:

Instructions
 

  • Mix mung beans and rice. Wash both well.
  • Cook the bean-rice mixture with 3x as much water until soft. The rice and beans need to cook to a soft, mashed consistency.
  • Wash and chop the chili.
  • Meanwhile, heat the vegetable oil in a pan. Add the mustard seeds to the hot oil until they crackle. Then add asafoetida, cumin and the chopped green chilies. Fry for about half a minute, then pepper and set aside.
  • Add salt to the soft-boiled bean and rice mixture. Mix well.
  • Now add the spice mix from the skillet to the rice and mix until everything is a uniform yellow color.
  • Add more water if needed to get the right mushy consistency. Boil once and remove from the stove.
  • Serve with cilantro and mango pickles. If it doesn’t have to be vegan, you can drizzle a good tablespoon of ghee over the khichadi to serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1portCalories: 462kcalCarbohydrates: 70gProtein: 15gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6g
Keyword ayurvedic, detox food, Indian, Kitchari, lenses, Mung Dal, rice
Tried this recipe?Mention @ArisFoodblog or tag #ArisFoodblog!
Kitchari – Rice and Lentil Comfort Food - Mung Dal
Kitchari – Rice and Lentil Comfort Food – Mung Dal

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