Bangladeshi-Style Kitchri
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Loading... - Ajeet Amin
- 26 Jan 2022
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Kitchri (also known as khichuri or kitcheree) is a homey, comforting, lightly spiced rice and lentil dish originally from India. The lentils—or dal—tend to melt into the rice, thickening the dish and adding wonderful earthy flavor. You can substitute yellow split peas for the lentils, if you like.
Ingredients
· 10 oz. (1-1/2 cups) brown basmati rice
· 5-1/2 oz. yellow or orange lentils (3/4 cup)
· 2 dried or fresh bay leaves
· 1 cinnamon stick
· 1/4 tsp. ground turmeric
· Kosher salt
· 2 Tbs. unsalted butter
· 1-1/2 cups diced seedless cucumber
· 2 Tbs. finely chopped fresh mint
· 1 cup chopped shallots plus 1 Tbs. minced
· 1 Tbs. fresh lime juice
· 3 Tbs. peanut or vegetable oil
· 1 tsp. panch phoran (Bengali five-spice mix)
· 2 tsp. minced garlic
· 1 fresh serrano chile with seeds, minced
· 1 Tbs. minced fresh ginger
· 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Preparation
· Put the rice in a medium bowl with enough cold water to cover by at least 1 inch. Set aside to soak at room temperature for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.
· While the rice is soaking, put the lentils in a bowl of cold water. Swish the lentils with your fingers, then pour the water off; repeat 2 more times to wash it well. Transfer the lentils to a 3-quart saucepan, add 1 quart of water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Skim off any foam, and then lower the heat to maintain a simmer. Add the bay leaves, cinnamon, and half of the turmeric and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender and the mixture is thick yet soupy, 25 to 35 minutes. If it seems dry, add a little hot water. Remove the bay leaves and cinnamon, and stir in 1 tsp. salt. Remove from the heat; set aside.
· Bring 8 cups of water to a boil in a 4- to 5-quart Dutch oven (or other wide, heavy-duty pot). Stir in 2 tsp. salt and return to a boil. Drain the rice and sprinkle it into the pot. Return to a boil and cook until al dente, about 17 minutes. Drain, return the rice to the pot, and over low heat, stir in the butter. When melted, cover and cook until the rice is tender, about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit, covered, for about 15 minutes.
· While the rice is cooking, in a medium bowl, stir together the cucumber, mint, minced shallot, lime juice, and 1/4 tsp. salt. Season to taste; set aside. Read More…
