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Kitchari

Name: Kitchari
Prep time: 30

(4 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)

30 min prep

6 servings

Carrot Icon for Number of Ingredients Size

12 ingredients

Kitchari is the food Indian mothers give to children who are feeling poorly. It is the perfect dish to have on hand for days when you might feel tired, slightly queasy, or low on...

2 tablespoons ghee
3 teaspoons mustard seeds
2 teaspoons cumin seeds or powder
2 teaspoons turmeric
2 teaspoons coriander
2 teaspoons fennel seeds
1 pinch asafoetida (hing) (See Ann’s Tip)
2 cups yellow split peas, picked through, rinsed and drained
Pinch of salt
7 cups water
1 cup brown basmati rice, rinsed and drained a few times
Cilantro, to garnish (optional)

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Nutrition Facts

Calories

398 cals

Fat

7 g

Saturated Fat

3 g

Polyunsaturated Fat

1 g

Monounsaturated Fat

2 g

Carbohydrates

68 g

Sugar

6 g

Fiber

19 g

Protein

19 g

Sodium

52 mg

Directions

Sauté the mustard seeds in the oil or ghee until they pop. Then, add the cumin, turmeric, coriander, fennel seeds and asafetida, if using. Cook for 1 minute.
Add the split peas and salt. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes. Add water, bring to boil, then simmer for 30 minutes or until the dal is about ⅓ cooked.
Prepare any vegetables you''d like to add (see Ann''s Tip). Add rice and these vegetables.
Stir to mix, adding extra water if required. Bring back to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes or until rice is fully cooked and the water is completely absorbed.

Chef Tips

Asafoetida is a traditional Indian spice frequently used in vegetarian dishes to replace onions and garlic. It can be found at Indian grocery stores and many health food stores. The spice — actually a gum taken from the root of an herb native to Persia and India — is considered a digestive aid, often used in bean dishes, pickles and condiments. If you can’t find asafoetida, add 1 or 2 whole peeled, smashed clove of garlic to the split peas when you add the water in step 2.

If you prefer you can substitute canola oil for ghee. Vegan ghee is available in health food stores.

Registered Dietitian Approved

All our recipes are created by chefs and reviewed by our oncology-trained staff Registered Dietitian, Kate Ueland, MS, RD, to ensure that each is backed with scientific evidence and meets the standards set by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

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Kitchari