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Kitcheree (Kitchari or Mung Beans and Rice)

White plate of Yellow/ Green Mung Beans (Lentils), over brown rice, garnished with red pepper flakes and green onions.
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EatSimpleFood.com

Kitcheree (Kitchari) is a simple Indian recipe consisting of mung beans and rice that is good for the digestive system.  Mung beans and rice is an Ayurvedic cleansing diet consisting of eating some version of this easy vegan dish.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Ingredient List Mung Beans:

  • 2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 cup onions, diced
  • 1 Tbsp garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp ginger, minced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 cups split, whole, or sprouted mung beans
  • 4 cups water or broth
  • 4 ounces fresh spinach
  • 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • red pepper flakes - optional for spice

Ingredient List Rice:

  • 1 1/2 cups of brown basmati rice
  • 3 cups of water
  • 1 Tbsp coconut oil
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

For the Mung Beans:

  • Bring a medium pot to medium high heat and add the oil.  
  • When hot, add onions and cook ~ 4-5 minutes or until translucent (reduce heat if necessary).  
  • Add garlic and ginger and cook ~ 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.  
  • Stir in cumin, turmeric, black pepper, and salt and cook 1-2 minutes (stirring) or until fragrant.  
  • Add spinach and mung beans and water or broth and cook ~ 30-35 minutes (or according to package instructions) or until beans are tender.  
  • Remove from heat and add lemon juice.

For the Rice:  

  • Combine all rice ingredients in a medium size pot.  Bring to a boil on the stovetop, reduce heat, and simmer covered ~ 45 minutes or until rice is tender (or cook rice according to package instructions).
  • Top rice with kitcheree.  
  • Add salt to taste and top with red chili flakes to spice it up.  Happy Eating!  Beckie

Notes

  • This can all be made in one pot if you prefer.  Proportions stay the same.
  • Add more water or broth if a thinner consistency is desired for the mung beans.
  • Throw in any vegetable or spice you have, it will still be good!
  • If you like this recipe you will probably like Coconut Red Lentils & Rice.
  • Like garnishes?  Top it off with whatever is in your fridge - cilantro, mint, chives, green onions, basil, etc...
  • Kitcheree, like most bean dishes, will thicken as it cools and over time.  If it's a bit liquidy you can try to increase the heat to burn off extra liquid or you can just wait for it too cool and thicken.

Find it online: https://eatsimplefood.com/kitcheree/