COOKING KITCHARI A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Cooking Kitchari: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn about Kitchari

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to cook Kitchari, a traditional Ayurvedic dish known for its nourishing and balancing properties. Kitchari, a combination of split mung beans and basmati rice, is revered in Ayurveda for its easy digestibility and detoxifying properties. However, as simple as it may sound, cooking Kitchari can sometimes be a challenging task.

But don't worry! We have the perfect solution for you - The Dancing Elephant Kitchari Premix. It allows you to prepare this wholesome meal in around 15 minutes, without any hassle. Get it here.

How to Cook Kitchari

Preparing the Ingredients

The first step in cooking Kitchari is gathering and preparing your ingredients. Traditional Kitchari includes basmati rice, mung dal, and a variety of spices such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, and fennel. However, preparing these ingredients can be time-consuming. The rice and dal need to be thoroughly rinsed and soaked to ensure they cook evenly. The spices, too, need to be measured and prepared. This process requires a certain level of skill and patience to ensure everything is properly cleaned, soaked, and prepared.

Cooking the Kitchari

Once your ingredients are ready, it's time to start cooking. The rice and dal need to be cooked together until they form a creamy, porridge-like consistency. This is achieved by simmering them in water or broth until they're soft and easily digestible. The spices are then sautéed in ghee, a clarified butter used commonly in Ayurvedic cooking, until they release their aroma. They're then added to the rice and dal mixture. This process requires constant attention to prevent overcooking or undercooking, and to ensure the flavors meld together perfectly.

Serving Suggestions

Kitchari can be served with a variety of accompaniments to enhance its flavor and nutritional value. A dollop of yogurt can add a refreshing tang and provide beneficial probiotics. Pickles or chutneys can add a burst of flavor. Fresh herbs like cilantro can provide a refreshing contrast to the warm spices. It's a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.

You can also explore our Recipes with Kitchari.

It approximately takes 45 minutes to prepare Kitchari, with Dancing Elephant Kitchari Premixes cook it in around 15 minutes.

Traditional Kitchari Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup basmati rice
  • 1 cup mung dal (split yellow)
  • 6 cups (approx.) water
  • 1/2 to 1 inch ginger root, chopped or grated
  • A bit of mineral salt (1/4 tsp. or so)
  • 2 tsp. ghee (clarified butter)
  • 1/2 tsp. coriander powder
  • 1/2 tsp. cumin powder
  • 1/2 tsp. whole cumin seeds
  • 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
  • 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
  • 1 pinch of asafoetida (hing)
  • Handful of fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1 and 1/2 cups assorted vegetables (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Wash the rice and mung dal: Rinse the rice and dal together under cold water until the water runs clear.

  2. Soak the rice and dal: Soak the rice and dal in water for a few hours to help them cook faster and make them more digestible. This step is optional, but recommended.

  3. Cook the rice and dal: Drain the soaking water and combine the rice and dal in a pot with 6 cups of fresh water. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook until the rice and dal are soft, about 30-40 minutes.

  4. Prepare the spices: While the rice and dal are cooking, heat the ghee in a separate pan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and mustard seeds and cook until they begin to pop. Then add the other spices (coriander, cumin powder, turmeric, and asafoetida) and cook for a minute or two until fragrant.

  5. Combine the spices with the rice and dal: Once the rice and dal are cooked, add the spice mixture to the pot and stir well. You can also add any vegetables at this point if you're using them. Cook for another 10-20 minutes until everything is well combined and the vegetables are cooked.

  6. Serve the Kitchari: Serve the Kitchari hot, garnished with fresh cilantro leaves. You can also add a spoonful of ghee on top for extra flavor and nourishment.

Remember, cooking Kitchari can sometimes be a bit tricky, especially if you're new to it. If you want to enjoy this nourishing meal without the hassle, consider trying The Dancing Elephant Kitchari Premix. It allows you to prepare Kitchari in around 15 minutes with no hassle.

Traditional Kitchari Recipe
Easy Kitchari Premixes

Troubleshooting Common Kitchari Cooking Issues

Overcooking can make your Kitchari mushy and unappetizing. It's important to keep a close eye on your pot and adjust the heat as necessary. If the Kitchari is cooking too quickly, it may become overcooked before the flavors have had a chance to fully develop. To prevent this, try reducing the heat and adding more liquid if necessary.

On the other hand, undercooking can result in hard, dry or crunchy rice and dal. This is usually a result of not using enough water or cooking at too high a temperature. To prevent undercooking, make sure to use enough liquid and maintain a gentle simmer.

Lumpy Kitchari is often a result of not stirring the mixture enough. To avoid this, make sure to stir your Kitchari regularly while it's cooking. This will help to break up any lumps and ensure an even, creamy consistency.

If your kitchari tastes bland or lacks flavor, it may be because the spices used were not sufficient or properly cooked. To enhance the taste, make sure to sauté the spices and vegetables well in oil or ghee before adding the lentils and rice. This allows the spices to release their flavors and aromas. Adjust the spice quantities according to your preference and taste as you cook, adding more if necessary. Alternatively buy one of our flavor packed premixes and make it in less than half the time.  

Burning or sticking can occur if the heat is too high or if there isn't enough liquid in the pan. To prevent this, use a thick-bottomed pan or a non-stick pan and maintain a moderate heat level. Stir the kitchari occasionally to ensure it doesn't stick to the bottom. If needed, you can add a little more water or broth to loosen the mixture and prevent it from burning.

The Dancing Elephant Kitchari Premix: Your Solution to Hassle-Free Kitchari

While cooking Kitchari from scratch can be a rewarding experience, it can also be time-consuming and fraught with potential issues. That's where The Dancing Elephant Kitchari Premix comes in. Our premix takes the hassle out of cooking Kitchari.

No need to worry about preparing ingredients. Our premix contains perfectly proportioned, high-quality basmati rice, mung dal, and a blend of Ayurvedic spices. This means you can skip the time-consuming process of cleaning, soaking, and preparing your ingredients.

Preventing overcooking or undercooking is no longer a concern. Our premix is designed to cook evenly and perfectly, resulting in a creamy, delicious Kitchari every time.

Dealing with lumpy Kitchari? Not with our premix. The ingredients in our premix are carefully selected and prepared to ensure a smooth, lump-free Kitchari.

With our premix, you can have a delicious, perfectly cooked Kitchari ready in around 15 minutes. It's the perfect solution for those busy days when you want a nourishing meal but don't have the time or energy to cook from scratch.

Try The Dancing Elephant Kitchari Premix today and experience the ease of cooking Kitchari. Enjoy the health benefits of this traditional Ayurvedic dish without the hassle. Your body and your taste buds will thank you!

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