Khichdi
Khichdi is reassuring, everyday fare, made from a mix of rice and lentils, cooked together in one pot until tender and seasoned with a splash of spice-infused fat. In India, it can be on the firmer side or more mushy, stripped down to the basics or more embellished, but it’s always a comfort. To make the dish a meal, serve it with a drizzle of ghee on top and some chopped cilantro leaves, a spoonful of full-fat yogurt on the side and a little jarred Indian-style lime pickle.
- Total:
- Serves: 3 persons
Ingredients
- ⅔cup long-grain white rice, such as jasmine
- ⅓cup yellow split moong beans
- 2tablespoons ghee
- ½teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1small cinnamon stick
- 2green cardamom pods
- 2whole cloves
- 1sprig curry leaves (optional)
- ¼teaspoon red chile powder
- ¼teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
Instructions
Step 1
Combine the rice and moong and rinse several times, until the water that drains away runs almost totally clear. Add to a heavy-bottomed pot with 1 3/4 cups water and set over medium-high heat.Step 2
In another small saucepan, heat the ghee and mustard seeds. When the seeds start to pop, lower the heat and add the remaining ingredients, swirling them in the pan. Let the spices sizzle for under a minute, then carefully pour into the rice pot, along with the ghee. (Watch out: The fat may splatter).Step 3
When the water comes up to a rolling boil, give it a good stir, scraping at the bottom of the pot, then cover tightly and turn the heat down to low. Cook for 15 minutes, then turn off the heat and let the rice rest for 10 minutes before opening the lid. Fluff gently with a spatula. Taste, season with salt to taste and serve.