Comforting khichdi, the ultimate South Asian pantry dish, turns rice and lentils into a creamy porridge. This version is perky and bright with frozen spinach, herbs, and a hot chile. Any long-grain rice (like jasmine) will do in place of basmati, as will any lentil from the soft and quick-cooking family—red, brown, green, or yellow (such as split mung beans).
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What you’ll need
Dutch Oven
$133 $80 At Amazon
Vitamix Blender
$380 At Amazon
Large Skillet
$74 At Amazon
Mesh Sieve
$13 At Amazon
Recipe information
Yield
6 servings
Ingredients
1
1
1
3
1
2
1
½
3
2
1
6
1
1
1
1
Preparation
Step 1
Bring 1 cup basmati or other long-grain white rice, rinsed, 1 cup red, yellow, or brown lentils, rinsed, 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil, 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, and 4 cups water to a simmer in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium. Partially cover and cook until rice and lentils are very soft (almost falling apart) and water is absorbed, 20–25 minutes.
Step 2
Meanwhile, blend 1 jalapeño or serrano chile, two 10-oz. packages frozen spinach, thawed, 1 cup (packed) cilantro leaves with tender stems, and ½ cup (packed) mint leaves in a blender until very smooth; set spinach purée aside.
Step 3
Heat 3 Tbsp. ghee or unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium. Cook 2 tsp. cumin seeds, stirring constantly, until golden and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add 1 large onion, finely chopped, 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped, one 1" piece ginger, peeled, finely chopped, and 2 tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and translucent, 9–12 minutes.
Step 4
Stir in 1 Tbsp. tomato paste and cook until slightly darkened in color, about 3 minutes. Pour reserved spinach purée into pan and cook, stirring often, until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Add rice mixture, 1 tsp. garam masala, and 1½ cups water and stir vigorously to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook until flavors come together and some of the water is absorbed, 6–8 minutes. Remove khichdi from heat and stir in 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice. Taste and season with more salt if needed. Add more water to get a risotto-like consistency if needed.
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