A comforting Indian one-pot meal made with rice, moong dal, and aromatic spices. This nourishing kitchari can be made in an Instant Pot or on the stovetop and is perfect for a wholesome, easy dinner.
indian
Nutrition
A balanced meal with moderate calories, rich in fiber and plant-based protein, low in fat and cholesterol.
This information is AI-estimated and percentages are of an average adult's recommended daily intake. For the most accurate details, please rely on product packaging. Always consult your doctor for professional dietary advice.
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Ingredients
1 Tbsp Coconut Or Avocado Oil or sub coconut milk for oil-free
2 tsp Whole Cumin Seeds or sub half as much ground cumin
1 tsp Whole Mustard Seeds or sub half as much mustard powder
2.5 Tbsp Fresh Ginger finely chopped
1 medium Carrot halved lengthwise, thinly sliced
0.5 cup Basmati White Rice
0.75 cup Split Yellow Moong Dal or sub red lentils, but kitchari is typically made with mung beans
0.5 tsp Ground Cardamom
0.5 tsp Garam Masala
1 tsp Ground Cumin
1 tsp Ground Turmeric plus more to taste
0.75 tsp Sea Salt plus more to taste
3.5 cups Water
0.5 cup Light Coconut Milk optional // for creaminess, richness // sub more water if omitting
1 - 2 Tbsp Coconut Aminos optional // for depth of flavor
FOR SERVING Optional
Cilantro
Lemon Or Lime Juice
Steamed Kale or other steamed or roasted vegetables
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Naan or gluten-free
Green Curry Paste
Equipment
Instant Pot
Rimmed Skillet
Instructions
1
INSTANT POT
2
In a 6-quart (or larger) Instant Pot, turn the SAUTÉ function to LOW (on the Duo Nova model, do this by pressing the sauté button a couple of times or until the screen reads “low”). Once hot, add coconut or avocado oil (or coconut milk if oil-free), press “CANCEL”, and then add cumin seeds and mustard seeds and stir until toasted and fragrant (the residual heat after pressing “CANCEL” will toast them without burning).
3
Add all remaining ingredients except coconut aminos — so ginger, carrot, rice, moong dal, cardamom, garam masala, cumin, turmeric, sea salt, water, and light coconut milk (optional // if omitting coconut milk, sub more water). Stir to combine.
4
Put on the Instant Pot lid and turn to seal. Pressure cook on HIGH for 4 minutes (it will take about 5-10 minutes for the Instant Pot to pressurize before cooking begins). Once the timer goes off, let the steam release naturally for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure. If in a hurry, you can carefully quick release.
5
Optionally, add coconut aminos for depth of flavor and stir. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more salt for overall flavor, coconut aminos for depth of flavor, cumin for smokiness, or garam masala for warming/clove flavor.
6
We like to garnish with fresh cilantro and lemon or lime juice and serve with steamed or roasted vegetables (sweet potato is a favorite!), naan, and homemade green curry paste.
7
Best when fresh. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 1 month. Reheat on the stovetop, stirring frequently, until warmed (add more water or some vegetable broth as needed if dry).
8
STOVETOP
9
SOAK MOONG DAL: Add moong dal to a large mixing bowl and cover with water by at least 2 inches. It will expand as it soaks. Soak for 12-24 hours, then drain and set aside.
10
Heat a large rimmed skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add coconut or avocado oil (or coconut milk if oil-free) and whole cumin seeds and mustard seeds. Toast for ~30 seconds or until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
11
Add all remaining ingredients except coconut aminos — so ginger, carrot, rice, moong dal, cardamom, garam masala, cumin, turmeric, sea salt, water, and light coconut milk (optional // if omitting coconut milk, sub more water). Stir to combine. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes or until moong dal is tender.
12
Optionally, add coconut aminos for depth of flavor and stir. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more salt for saltiness, coconut aminos for depth of flavor, cumin for smokiness, or garam masala for warming/clove flavor.
13
We like to garnish with fresh cilantro and lemon or lime juice and serve with steamed or roasted vegetables (sweet potato is a favorite!), naan, and homemade green curry paste.
14
Best when fresh. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 1 month. Reheat on the stovetop, stirring frequently, until warmed (add more water or some vegetable broth as needed if dry).
A comforting Indian one-pot meal made with rice, moong dal, and aromatic spices. This nourishing kitchari can be made in an Instant Pot or on the stovetop and is perfect for a wholesome, easy dinner.
indian
Log in to Tasty Bites to save this recipe to your personal digital cookbook.
Create meal plans, manage your grocery lists, and convert or scale ingredients with the step-by-step cooking assistant.
Log in or sign up to get started
Ingredients
1 Tbsp Coconut Or Avocado Oil or sub coconut milk for oil-free
2 tsp Whole Cumin Seeds or sub half as much ground cumin
1 tsp Whole Mustard Seeds or sub half as much mustard powder
2.5 Tbsp Fresh Ginger finely chopped
1 medium Carrot halved lengthwise, thinly sliced
0.5 cup Basmati White Rice
0.75 cup Split Yellow Moong Dal or sub red lentils, but kitchari is typically made with mung beans
0.5 tsp Ground Cardamom
0.5 tsp Garam Masala
1 tsp Ground Cumin
1 tsp Ground Turmeric plus more to taste
0.75 tsp Sea Salt plus more to taste
3.5 cups Water
0.5 cup Light Coconut Milk optional // for creaminess, richness // sub more water if omitting
1 - 2 Tbsp Coconut Aminos optional // for depth of flavor
FOR SERVING Optional
Cilantro
Lemon Or Lime Juice
Steamed Kale or other steamed or roasted vegetables
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Naan or gluten-free
Green Curry Paste
Equipment
Instant Pot
Rimmed Skillet
Instructions
1
INSTANT POT
2
In a 6-quart (or larger) Instant Pot, turn the SAUTÉ function to LOW (on the Duo Nova model, do this by pressing the sauté button a couple of times or until the screen reads “low”). Once hot, add coconut or avocado oil (or coconut milk if oil-free), press “CANCEL”, and then add cumin seeds and mustard seeds and stir until toasted and fragrant (the residual heat after pressing “CANCEL” will toast them without burning).
3
Add all remaining ingredients except coconut aminos — so ginger, carrot, rice, moong dal, cardamom, garam masala, cumin, turmeric, sea salt, water, and light coconut milk (optional // if omitting coconut milk, sub more water). Stir to combine.
4
Put on the Instant Pot lid and turn to seal. Pressure cook on HIGH for 4 minutes (it will take about 5-10 minutes for the Instant Pot to pressurize before cooking begins). Once the timer goes off, let the steam release naturally for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure. If in a hurry, you can carefully quick release.
5
Optionally, add coconut aminos for depth of flavor and stir. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more salt for overall flavor, coconut aminos for depth of flavor, cumin for smokiness, or garam masala for warming/clove flavor.
6
We like to garnish with fresh cilantro and lemon or lime juice and serve with steamed or roasted vegetables (sweet potato is a favorite!), naan, and homemade green curry paste.
7
Best when fresh. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 1 month. Reheat on the stovetop, stirring frequently, until warmed (add more water or some vegetable broth as needed if dry).
8
STOVETOP
9
SOAK MOONG DAL: Add moong dal to a large mixing bowl and cover with water by at least 2 inches. It will expand as it soaks. Soak for 12-24 hours, then drain and set aside.
10
Heat a large rimmed skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add coconut or avocado oil (or coconut milk if oil-free) and whole cumin seeds and mustard seeds. Toast for ~30 seconds or until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
11
Add all remaining ingredients except coconut aminos — so ginger, carrot, rice, moong dal, cardamom, garam masala, cumin, turmeric, sea salt, water, and light coconut milk (optional // if omitting coconut milk, sub more water). Stir to combine. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes or until moong dal is tender.
12
Optionally, add coconut aminos for depth of flavor and stir. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more salt for saltiness, coconut aminos for depth of flavor, cumin for smokiness, or garam masala for warming/clove flavor.
13
We like to garnish with fresh cilantro and lemon or lime juice and serve with steamed or roasted vegetables (sweet potato is a favorite!), naan, and homemade green curry paste.
14
Best when fresh. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 1 month. Reheat on the stovetop, stirring frequently, until warmed (add more water or some vegetable broth as needed if dry).
This information is AI-estimated and percentages are of an average adult's recommended daily intake. For the most accurate details, please rely on product packaging. Always consult your doctor for professional dietary advice.