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Prep time
5 minutes
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Cook time
30 minutes
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Serves
4 to 6
Author Notes
Recipe from Instant Indian: Classic Foods from Every Region of Indian Made Easy in the Instant Pot. The recipe is printed with permission from Hippocrene Books, Inc.
A khichuri (or khichdi) is a classic rice and lentil mélange, prepared differently all over India. This particular red lentil variation is from Bengal. It is distinct in its use of fried onions to imbue rich flavor and cauliflower, potatoes, green peas, and a beautiful drizzle of cumin-scented ghee round out this hearty, comforting dish. To make this dish vegan, you can use coconut oil instead of the ghee
—Rinku Bhattacharya /Spice Chronicles
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Ingredients
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4 tablespoons
vegetable oil
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1
red onion, thinly sliced
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3/4 cup
red/orange split lentils
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1/2 cup
basmati or kalajira rice
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1 teaspoon
ground coriander
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1 tablespoon
grated fresh ginger
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1 teaspoon
salt or to taste
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1/2 teaspoon
powdered turmeric
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2
cups cauliflower, cut into large pieces, about 3/4 or a medium sized cauliflower
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1
medium yukon gold potato peeled and quartered, or 2 baby red potatoes halved
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1./2 cups
frozen green peas
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1 tablespoon
ghee or coconut oil
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1.5 teaspoons
whole cumin seeds
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1/2 teaspoon
crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
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2 tablespoons
fresh lime juice
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1 tablespoon
chopped cilantro
Directions
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1. Set the Instant Pot on Sauté mode and heat the oil for about 1 minute, then add the onion and sauté until they turn golden, about 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the lentils, rice, cumin, coriander, ginger, cayenne pepper powder, salt, and turmeric. Add the cauliflower, potato, and 4 cups of water and stir well.
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Press Cancel to turn off Sauté mode, close the lid, and set the Instant Pot on Manual Low Pressure mode for 4 minutes.
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When cooking time is complete, allow for Natural Pressure Release for 10 to 15 minutes, then use Quick Release for any residual pressure.
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Once pressure is released, open pot and stir rice mixture well. Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode and stir in the green peas and cook for 1 minute.
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5. To finish, heat the ghee or coconut oil in a small pan, add the cumin seeds, crushed red pepper, if using, and whole dried red chilies and cook until the mixture crackles and is fragrant, being careful not to burn the crushed red pepper. Pour the fragrant mixture over the khichuri and gently stir. Sprinkle on the lime juice and garnish with cilantro before serving.
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