Zaiqa Cooking: Khichri (Rice Porridge)

Khichri is known as a savory comfort food in my household. Khichri is also therapeutic as it has healing abilities passed on from generation to generation in my family. What is khichri, you might ask? Khichri is a savory rice porridge with mung beans, also known as Moong (Mooh-ung) daal, as we call it in Pakistan. Mung beans are high in fiber, magnesium, iron, and much more. The best part? They also contain antioxidants, help with the digestive system, and immunity, according to the National Library of Medicine (and my Nani). Growing up, and till this day, whenever I or someone in my family has a tummy ache or just needs a good warm bowl of porridge, I make one or even two to enjoy. My nani would say that khichri could cure any upset stomach within hours, and it does. I love khichri, and I love it even more when served with achar (pickled vegetables with spices) on the side. Rice can be served in so many ways. I tell everyone it is good to try something different every once in a while. Watch what idea Mikey comes up with when he is hosting his birthday party, and the dilemma of what to serve as the main meal here on Kanopy Kids. Browse through our COSMOS page for unlimited items on the subject of rice.

Ingredients:

1 cup rice (long grain or basmati are good choices)
1 medium bowl
Water
½ cup Moong Daal
1 Teaspoon Zeera (Cumin)
½ Onion-sliced thin
Salt to taste
1 ½ Tablespoon Olive Oil
Medium pot with lid
Large stirring spoon
Rice Colander (fine)
Stove
1 teaspoon of ginger garlic paste (optional)

Instructions:

1

Pre-soak the rice and moong daal together for about 30 minutes to an hour in cold water.
2

While your rice and daal is soaking, go ahead and prepare the onion.
3

Slice your onion thin, and place it in a pot.
4

Turn on your stove, and place the pot on medium-low heat. Add olive oil, cumin, and onion slices.
5

Stir the onion occasionally until golden brown (not burnt).
6

For every cup of rice, the ratio is doubled. For example: 1 cup of rice to 2 cups of water. But, since we’re making this into a porridge-like consistency, we are going to add 3 cups of water to the pot and turn the heat to medium-high.
7

Wash and drain your rice using a colander, and add it to the boiling water.
8

Add salt to taste and stir.
9

You want to keep stirring the rice until about 40 % of the water has evaporated.
10

Turn your stove heat to the lowest setting, and place the lid on the pot.
11

Set a timer for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes have passed, turn off your stove and crack the lid on the pot. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Stir and enjoy!