The adventure of making a traditional kitchari-the simple version that Grandma made…..
Last Sunday was earmarked as my official day off from the kitchen. With a playful decree to my husband that today, the oven stays cold and the stove remains untouched, I settled into the prospect of a day filled with relaxation and rest. Little did I know, an Amazon package would soon arrive, stirring the culinary enthusiast in me.
The package revealed a fresh batch of moong dal(mung dal), and before I knew it, my resolve to rest had vanished. The allure of creating something nourishing and comforting was too enticing to resist. As I ventured into my immaculate kitchen, the idea of whipping up a batch of Kitchari took shape. “My body needs this,” I mused, as I reached for spices and ingredients.
The Joy of Culinary Experimentation
The beauty of cooking lies not just in the end result but in the journey of experimentation. As I added a pinch of this and a sprinkle of that, the pot simmered with a gentle promise of warmth and comfort. The Kitchari looked soft and inviting.
It dawned on me that my love for culinary experiments might border on obsession. This Kitchari was just one of the countless experiments that take place in my kitchen each week. With limited time and phone memory to capture them all, I often find myself sharing only a fraction of these culinary creations.
The Quick and Nourishing Delight of Moong Dal
In Trinidad, we use yellow split peas or dhal, to make kitcherie–the West Indian version. This dhal takes quite a long time to cook, and kitcherie/kitchari/khichdi is made in two steps.
One of the standout elements of this Kitchari was the use of moong dal, a traditional East Indian ingredient in this dish Its quick cooking time and delicate flavor made it an instant favorite. I wondered, “Where has this moong dal been all my life?” Its soft texture and nutty flavor added a delightful depth to the dish, elevating the humble, nourishing Kitchari to a comfort food level.
A Recipe for Rejuvenation: Kitchari
If you’re looking to rejuvenate, invigorate, or simply give your digestive system a well-deserved break, look no further. Here’s a simple yet soul-soothing Kitchari recipe you can easily recreate at home.
Ingredients you will need:
- 1 cup jasmine or basmati rice
- 1/2 cup moong dal
- 2 tbsp ghee or oil
- 1/2 tsp whole cumin
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Hot pepper, optional
- 2 tbsp green seasoning (see below for recipe)
- 2 tsp salt, or to taste
- 6 cups water
Cook this delicious kitchari in 5 Easy Steps:
- Preparation: Soak the rice and dal in enough water to cover for a minimum of 1 hour or overnight. Make or chop ingredients for green seasoning.
- Tempering: When ready to cook, rinse and drain the rice and dal. Heat the ghee or oil in a medium pot over high heat. Add the whole cumin, turmeric and cook for 1 minute.
- Sautee: Add the onion, minced garlic, hot pepper, if using, and green seasoning, cooking for an additional minute.
- Cook: Stir in the soaked rice and dal, cooking for 3 minutes to toast the grains lightly.
- Simmer: Pour in the hot water, bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
Serving Suggestions:
- Fried Ochro(okra) as seen in the pics
- Tomato Choka
- Trinidad Chorai Bhaji
- Trinidad Bhagi – made with frozen chopped spinach
- Baigan and Tomatoes Talkari
Connect With Me
If you try this Kitchari recipe or have your own version to share, I’d love to hear from you! Drop a comment below or reach out on social media. Also, don’t forget to check out my other recipes, including my fully loaded and absolutely delicious Mummy’s Kitcherie.
Wishing you all a fantastic week ahead, filled with culinary adventures and heartwarming meals.
#Kitchari #KitchariCleanse #Kitcherie #Kitchri #Food #AyurvedicFood
Simple Healing Kitchari
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 cup jasmine rice or basmati rice
- 1/2 cup moong dal
- 2 tbsp ghee or oil
- 1/2 tsp whole cumin
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 small onion chopped
- hot pepper optional
- 2 tbsp green seasoning see below for the recipe
- 2 tsp salt or to taste
- 6 cups water
Green Seasoning Recipe:
- 6-8 leaves culantro or cilantro (coriander)
- 4 cloves garlic
- hot pepper optional
- 2 pimento peppers optional
- small piece ginger optional
Instructions
- Soak the rice and dal in enough water to cover for a minimum of 1 hour or overnight. Rinse and drain before cooking.
- Heat the ghee or oil in a medium pot over high heat. Add the whole cumin, turmeric and cook for 1 minute, allowing the flavors to bloom.
- Add the onion, minced garlic, hot pepper, if using, and green seasoning, cooking for an additional minute to release their aromatic flavors.
- Stir in the soaked rice and dal, cooking for 3 minutes to toast the grains lightly.
- Pour in the hot water, bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. The Kitchari should be creamy, with most of the liquid absorbed but not entirely evaporated.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt if required.
Notes
If you try this Kitchari recipe or have your own version to share, I'd love to hear from you! Drop a comment below or reach out on social media. Also, don't forget to check out my other recipes, including my fully loaded and absolutely delicious Mummy’s Kitcherie.
