I
love lentils. Orange, yellow, brown, green, black, you name it – I like them. I
didn’t grow up eating lentils, for me they were an adult discovery. When I
found dal, the name of legumes in Indian food, I fell in love. For years I
ordered two things in every Indian restaurant I frequented. I didn’t prefer the
tikka masala or butter chicken, oh no. At the top of my order were Dal Tadka, the
yummy Lentil Curry, and Saag Panar, the delicious fresh cheese and spinach dish
that is spicy and soothing at the same time.
love lentils. Orange, yellow, brown, green, black, you name it – I like them. I
didn’t grow up eating lentils, for me they were an adult discovery. When I
found dal, the name of legumes in Indian food, I fell in love. For years I
ordered two things in every Indian restaurant I frequented. I didn’t prefer the
tikka masala or butter chicken, oh no. At the top of my order were Dal Tadka, the
yummy Lentil Curry, and Saag Panar, the delicious fresh cheese and spinach dish
that is spicy and soothing at the same time.
So
it was my sister who first introduced me to Kitchari, the lentil and rice combo
that is full of flavor and is light and super easy to prepare. I like to make a
double recipe and have leftovers to scoop into naan bread later in the week.
See if this recipe doesn’t make you and your family happy eaters for dinner and
lunch the next day and for snacks the following.
it was my sister who first introduced me to Kitchari, the lentil and rice combo
that is full of flavor and is light and super easy to prepare. I like to make a
double recipe and have leftovers to scoop into naan bread later in the week.
See if this recipe doesn’t make you and your family happy eaters for dinner and
lunch the next day and for snacks the following.
Kitchari
2
Cups Brown Basmati Rice
Cups Brown Basmati Rice
2/3
Cup Red Lentils (or any color you can find!)
Cup Red Lentils (or any color you can find!)
6
Cups Water
Cups Water
2
EACH Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Sweet Potato, chopped
EACH Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Sweet Potato, chopped
2 TB
Olive Oil
Olive Oil
½ Cup Chopped Green Onions + more for garnish
¼
Cup Pumpkin Seeds
Cup Pumpkin Seeds
2 TB
Garam Masala
Garam Masala
1 TB
Freshly Cracked Black Pepper
Freshly Cracked Black Pepper
3 TB
Braggs Amino Acids* (optional)
Braggs Amino Acids* (optional)
1
Cup Coconut Milk
Cup Coconut Milk
¼
Cup Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
Cup Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
Sea
Salt and Freshly Cracked Pepper
Salt and Freshly Cracked Pepper
Step One
Place
the rice, lentils and water in a stockpot. Bring a boil, reduce the heat and
simmer, covered for 15 minutes.
the rice, lentils and water in a stockpot. Bring a boil, reduce the heat and
simmer, covered for 15 minutes.
Step Two
Add
the zucchini, yellow squash and sweet potato to the pot, layering them on top
of the rice and lentils. Cover again and cook until the mixture has absorbed
all the water – about 20 minutes.
the zucchini, yellow squash and sweet potato to the pot, layering them on top
of the rice and lentils. Cover again and cook until the mixture has absorbed
all the water – about 20 minutes.
Step Three
In a
sauté pan, heat the oil and cook the green onions and pumpkin seeds with the
turmeric, garam masala and a good grating of black pepper. Cook until the green
onions are wilted about 5 minutes. Stir in the Braggs, coconut milk and cook
and stir until warm. Add in the lemon juice.
sauté pan, heat the oil and cook the green onions and pumpkin seeds with the
turmeric, garam masala and a good grating of black pepper. Cook until the green
onions are wilted about 5 minutes. Stir in the Braggs, coconut milk and cook
and stir until warm. Add in the lemon juice.
Step Four
Spoon
the coconut mixture into the cooked rice and veggie pot and gently stir to
combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper and garnish with the green
onions.
the coconut mixture into the cooked rice and veggie pot and gently stir to
combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper and garnish with the green
onions.
*For this recipe I like to use Braggs Amino Acids. They are a liquid amino acid
that you can find in the health food section of your grocery store. They add a
delicious “umami” taste to the dish without salt, fat or calories.
that you can find in the health food section of your grocery store. They add a
delicious “umami” taste to the dish without salt, fat or calories.