Khichri
This is a south Asian specialty of rice and lentils served with an assortment of accompaniments.Â
- Season: Year round
- Course: Main
- Complexity: Easy
- Prep time: 10 min
- Cooking time: 35-40 min
- Category: Veg
- Serves: 4-6
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Ingredients
1/2 cup red LentilsÂ
1 cup moong lentilsÂ
1/2 cup chickpea lentilsÂ
1 cup long Basmati riceÂ
2 bay leafÂ
1-inch cinnamon stickÂ
1 tbsp fresh cumin seeds
1 cup of vegetable oilÂ
1 cup sliced white onionÂ
1 cup of sliced tomatoesÂ
4 tbsp of garlic and ginger pasteÂ
1 tbsp turmericÂ
1 tbsp cumin powderÂ
1 tbsp coriander powderÂ
1 tbsp chilli powderÂ
4/6 green chillies
IngredientsÂ
To temper:Â
1/2 cup sliced onionsÂ
Four dry red chilliÂ
1/2 tbsp fresh cumin seedsÂ
4 tbsp of gheeÂ
1/3 cup of oilÂ
Â
To garnish:Â
1 tbsp roasted cumin seedsÂ
1 tbsp garam masalaÂ
1 tbsp of ghee
MethodÂ
Steps:
- Roast lentils and rice at 180 degrees for 5 minutes. Then wash and strain.
- Heat oil and ghee in the pot, then add bay leaf, cinnamon and fresh cumin seeds. Fry for a minute.
- Add onion and sauté until golden brown for about 3 minutes on a medium to high heat.
- Tip the garlic and ginger paste and fry.
- Dilute all the powdered spices with 50 ml of water and pour on the onion mixture and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the oil separates from it.
- Add sliced tomatoes and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes, then add all the rice and pulses and cook for a couple of minutes. Stir to combine everything well.
- Pour over 8 cups of hot water and bring it to a boil, then simmer for 20 to 25 minutes until the rice and pulses soften and thicken.
- Add green chilli, turn off the heat and pop the lid onto the pan.
For tempering and garnish:
â—¦ Heat the frying pan with oil and ghee, add red chilli and fresh cumin seeds and fry for 30 seconds, then add onions and fry until golden brown.
â—¦ Pour the tempering mixture (straight from the pan, whilst still hot) over the khichuri and mix it well.
â—¦ Finally, garnish with roasted cumin and garam masala on top and a tablespoon of ghee. Then close the lid and finish cooking for a few more minutes.