Crock-Pot Kitchari? Oh Yeah!

Kitchari is the quintessential Indian comfort food, similar to Chinese congee or Middle-Eastern mujaddara (see below).  Basmati rice and whole mung beans (moong dal) are cooked down with various spices and vegetables into a dish that ranges from a soupy to an almost homogeneous consistency. I prefer the latter, a mass of pillow-soft rice and beans punctuated with cumin, chili powder, ginger, and onion.  It’s delicious and filling while also being nutritious and easily digested. Kitchari is often the first solid food Indian children are given, and is frequently given as part of Ayurvedic treatment.

This recipe is adapted from my latest cook book acquisition, The Indian Slow Cooker by Anupy Singla. I was initially skeptical of cooking kitchari in a Crock-Pot, but am happy to report that with a little tweaking (that’s what I do, you know), you will be more than happy with the results. 

Kitchari

This recipe is for a 4 quart slow cooker. If you have a 5 quart model, increase the amount of mung beans by 1 cup, and the amount of water by 1 cup. Cooking time will be 5 hours.

2 Tbs. Ghee or light cooking oil

1 small yellow onion, diced

2 jalapeno peppers, ribs and seeds removed, diced small

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbs. grated fresh ginger

1 Tbs. cumin powder

1 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. turmeric

1 16 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained

4 c. vegetable broth

3 c. water

1 c. whole mung beans, rinsed

1 c. basmati rice, rinsed

1 tsp. sea salt

Chopped cilantro for garnish

1. Heat the ghee or oil in a skillet.
2. Add the onion and saute until translucent.
3. Add the chilies and saute for another 2 minutes.
4. Add the garlic, ginger, and all the spices. Saute for 1 minute.
5. Add the tomatoes and saute for 3 minutes. You should have a thick paste.
6. Pour the stock and water into the slow cooker. Add the beans, rice, and salt. Stir to mix.
7. Add the paste from the skillet. Mix well. Cover and cook on high for 3 hours.
8. Adjust slow cooker to low, and cook uncovered for 10 minutes or until desired consistency is achieved.
9. Garnish with cilantro.

Serves 6 generously