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Khichari - an Indian One-Pot Meal

Author: Plantbasedredhead
Khichari is a very wholesome Indian one-pot meal made from rice, vegetables, and lentils. It's easy to make, healthy, and very tasty.
5 from 6 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Curries + Dals
Cuisine India
Servings 3 portions
Calories 531 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup yellow lentils moong dal
  • ½ cup basmati rice
  • 1 piece ginger thumb-sized
  • 1.5 cups chopped vegetables what you have at home: broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, pumpkin, tomato, celery stalk, spinach …
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil or another neutral oil like rapeseed oil
  • 1.5 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp fenugreek seeds
  • 1 tsp black mustard seeds
  • 1 pinch asafoetida
  • chili powder amount depending on the desired spiciness
  • ¾ tsp turmeric powder
  • some fresh black pepper
  • 5 cups water
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • fresh coriander if you like

Instructions
 

  • Wash the lentils and rice (you can do that in a colander at the same time) until the water is quite clear.
  • Peel the ginger and grate it finely.
  • Now prepare the vegetables: wash them, peel them if necessary, and cut them into small pieces.
  • Heat oil in a saucepan and fry the whole spices (cumin, fenugreek, and mustard seeds) and the pinch of asafoetida for about half a minute. Be careful not to burn them.
  • Add ginger, chili, turmeric, and pepper. Stir and sauté for a few seconds. If you are using tomatoes for your khichari, add them now and fry them as well, for about two minutes.
  • Now add rice, lentils, vegetables (if you use some spinach: add it towards the end of the cooking time), water and salt.
  • Stir and simmer on low heat for about 35 minutes. Check in between and stir so that nothing burns. The consistency of your khichari shall be like porridge.
  • If you like, cut fresh coriander and add it at the end of the cooking time.
  • I like to add some soy sauce and sometimes Tabasco as well. Both are not authentic, but so good. I love the salty and sour aroma with lentils. If you want, you can serve your khichari with homemade vegan raita.

Notes

  • The specified quantity of 1 cup of lentils and 1/2 cup of rice is sufficient for 3 to 4 people as a main course.
  • You can replace a part of the water with vegetable stock, but then use less salt.
  • Serve with coriander/cilantro (if you like), and (coconut) yogurt, some soy sauce and / or Tabasco.
  • Kitchari thickens very quickly: add some water when you reheat it.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 portionCalories: 531kcalCarbohydrates: 85gProtein: 25gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 681mgPotassium: 302mgFiber: 12gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 5039IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 92mgIron: 5mg