Kichari (rice-mung stew)
Kate
Kichari, rice-mung stew (or porridge), is wonderfully light on digestion yet tasty and satisfying. It is often given to people who are ill or recovering from illness, like an Ayurvedic 'chicken-soup'.
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 40 minutes mins
Course Main
Cuisine Indian
- 75 g yellow split mung dal (ideally soaked for few hours)
- 150 g white basmati rice
- 1 ½ tbsp ghee (or coconut oil)
- ¼ tsp black mustard seeds (optional)
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- ½ tsp fennel seeds (or powder)
- ½ cm fresh ginger chopped
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 pinch hing (optional)
- 1 litre boiled water
- ¾ tsp rock salt
Wash mung dal and rice till water runs clear, set aside.
Warm ghee/coconut oil on a medium heat.
Add mustard, cumin and fennel seeds and cook until they pop (few minutes). If using fennel powder instead, add that in the next step.
Add fresh ginger and the powders (turmeric, coriander and hing). Stir briefly.
Add the rice and mung, stir constantly.
Add freshly boiled water, turn up heat and cover.
When the water comes to a boil, stir in the salt, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 40 minutes or until there is very little water left and it has a vegetable stew consistency. Stir occasionally.