Best Creamy Lentil Risotto Kichdi Recipes

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CREAMY LENTIL "RISOTTO" (KICHDI)



Creamy Lentil

This is my version of my mom's recipe that was made for us so often while growing up. This is sort of the Indian cousin of the risotto, since the rice grains are not separate but cooked to a porridge-like consistency. It is immensely flavorful even in the simple version I have written, but you can make a heartier version by adding extra veggies to it too. My mom used to add carrots, potatoes, and peas to it sometimes. It's delicious with pickles or a simple vegetable curry, but can be eaten by itself with a dab of butter to make it even more creamy. You'll find there is nothing too distinctive about the ingredients in this recipe, but the technique of cooking is what makes this dish decidedly different from regular pilafs etc.

Provided by eatrealfood

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 50m

Yield 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 cup basmati rice
1 cup assorted lentils (I use 1/3 cup each of mung, chana, masoor)
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder (check the color, add more if needed till yellow)
4 -6 tablespoons ghee (opt for the upper limit for a richer flavor)
1 cinnamon stick
4 bay leaves
4 cloves
6 cardamom pods
3 teaspoons cumin seeds
1 onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves
salt, to taste
lemon juice (optional)
cilantro, to garnish

Steps:

  • Rinse the rice and lentils in several changes of water, and let soak for 1-4 hours. Drain.
  • Add enough water to cover the lentils and rice by 1 inch, and bring to a boil (try to remove any foam that may rise to the top during this process).
  • Reduce heat and add turmeric and salt.
  • Cover and let simmer on LOW heat until rice and lentils are tender, about 30mins.
  • Keep checking to see if water needs replenishing, you don't want it to dry out. Stir often so it doesn't stick at the bottom.
  • Keep adding water till rice is overcooked (grains no longer separate) and you have a thick porridge-like consistency. (You have to play it by ear and add water to thin the consistency or increase heat for a thicker mixture).
  • In a small saucepan, heat ghee and then add the cinnamon stick, bay leaves, cloves, cardamom and cumin seeds.
  • When they are fragrant and splutter, add the onion and garlic and cook till onion is softened.
  • Pour this mixture into the lentil-rice mixture and stir to combine well.
  • Just before serving serving, drizzle with lemon juice if desired.
  • (Note: This dish is best served hot immediately. It will thicken a lot as it cools, so if you plan to reheat it, add more water as you reheat it, till it's a soupy consistency again).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 145.3, Fat 5.9, SaturatedFat 3.3, Cholesterol 13.1, Sodium 3.5, Carbohydrate 20.1, Fiber 2.5, Sugar 1, Protein 3.6

KHICHDI



Khichdi image

Rice and lentils team up to make a super-easy Indian dish (also called kitchari) that is reminiscent of porridge, but with plenty of lively flavor from the ginger, cumin and jalapeno. Fresh cilantro stirred in at the end adds nice flecks of bright green.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/2 cup red lentils
1/2 cup basmati rice
3 tablespoons unsalted butter or ghee
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 medium tomato, finely chopped
1/2 jalapeno, finely chopped (seeds removed for less heat)
1/2-inch piece fresh ginger, finely chopped
Kosher salt
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro, chopped

Steps:

  • Soak the lentils and rice together in water in a medium bowl for 30 minutes; drain and rinse well.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and stir until they just start to fizzle, about 1 minute. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the turmeric, tomato, jalapeno and ginger. Cook, stirring, until the tomato softens, about 1 minute. Add the lentils, rice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 3 cups water. Bring to a boil, lower to a simmer, cover and cook until the rice is tender and the lentils have broken down completely, about 15 minutes. Stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter and season with salt. Stir in the cilantro.

KHICHDI



Khichdi image

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.

Provided by Tejal Rao

Categories     dinner, lunch, weekday, grains and rice, side dish

Time 30m

Yield 3 to 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

2/3 cup long-grain white rice, such as jasmine
1/3 cup yellow split moong beans
2 tablespoons ghee
1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 small cinnamon stick
2 green cardamom pods
2 whole cloves
1 sprig curry leaves (optional)
1/4 teaspoon red chile powder
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste

Steps:

  • 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.
  • 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).
  • 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.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 120, UnsaturatedFat 2 grams, Carbohydrate 12 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 150 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 0 grams

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