Khichdi/Kitchari Recipe IDDSI LEVEL 5- Minced and Moist Texture

What is Khichdi/Kitchari?

Khichdi, otherwise known as Kitchari, is a traditional Indian dish that is made with rice and lentils. It is often the first form of solid food that is given to babies across India. It is also highly nutritious because it contains protein, carbohydrates, fibre and trace minerals like iron. It is also often served with a potato curry, yogurt or a chutney.

What does Khichdi mean to me and my family?

For my family and I, Khichdi is a comfort food that we enjoy eating together. We also make this dish when anyone in our family becomes sick because of the nutritional benefits.

Recipe (Inspired by my grandma's cooking) - Ingredients

• 1 cup of basmati rice
• 3 cups of water
• 1/2 cup split pea lentils/dhal (you can use any type of lentils e.g. yellow, red etc)
• 1 star anise
• 2 cardamom pods
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 small onion finely chopped
• 1/2tsp tumeric powder
• 1/2tsp cumin seeds
• 1/2tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp salt (2tsp to taste)
• 60g butter
• few teaspoons olive oil (or any other type of oil)
• few curry leaves (chopped finely)
• 2 red dried chilli's

Method

1. Wash lentils and rice separately and soak them for 30 minutes in water
2. Combine both the lentils and rice and add 3 cups of water
3. Add salt
4. Bring to a boil and simmer till it's cooked with a soft and mushy texture
5. In a frying pan, add butter and a little oil,
6. Then add star anise, cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, onion, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, curry leaves and dried chilli's
7. Add this mixture to the rice and lentils/dhal
8. Mix well and simmer for another 10 minutes on very low heat
9. Serve (remember to remove star anise, cardamom pods and cinnamon sticks before eating)

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