Kitchari, an Ayurvedic comfort food, is the go-to staple food for the Indians. It wouldn’t be wrong to call it as the Indian version of chicken soup. With its origin dating as early as the 14th century, Kitchari has traveled the world well and has found many variants since. Be it India, Nepal, or the Fiji islands (yes! you heard it right), it has made a special place in people’s hearts.

And what’s not to love about this lip-smacking dish. Often referred to as "Queen of all foods," Kitchari is a powerhouse of fiber and protein, not to forget it is very, very tasty. It is great for digestion and boosting metabolism, and makes up for the healthy, flavorsome food that you’ve always been searching for. To top it all, preparing it is a child’s play (no, really! you would be surprised). What else does one want from a meal?

Pronounced “kitch-uh-ree” with a rolled “r,”Kitchari, in Hindi, means “mixture” or “mess.” As the name suggests, this dish is a “mixture” of rice and lentils cooked together, with some aromatic spices, to give it the desired taste.

So here we go, making possibly the easiest and most delicious meal you’ll ever make.

Spicy Kitchari Recipe

What you need:

• 1 cup Pride of India White Basmati Rice and Lentil Kitchari Mix(depending on your choice, you can also use the Brown Basmati Rice and Lentil Kitchari Mixvariant),
• 2 teaspoons Pride of India Kitchari Spice Mix,
• 1 tablespoonGhee(clarified butter) or oil of your choice,
• 1 small onion (chopped),
• 1 small tomato (deseeded and chopped),
• 1 green chili (sliced),
• 1 dried red chili (whole),
• 1 bay leaf,
• 3-4 cups water (depending on the consistency of Kitchari you want to attain).

How to make it:

• Wash and soak 1 cup Pride of India White Basmati Rice and Lentil Kitchari Mix for 15-30 minutes. Drain and rinse the water, and set aside.
• Heat the pressure cooker on a high flame and pourGheeor oil of your choice into it.
• Once theGheeis hot, add the bay leaf, dried red chili, and green chili to it, andsauté for a few seconds.
• Add onion and sauté until golden.
• Add the chopped tomatoes. Stir it for a while.
• Add the Pride of IndiaKitchari Spice Mix, and stir it well.
• Add the pre-soaked Pride of India White Basmati Rice and Lentil Kitchari Mix to the pressure cooker.
• Add water, and close the lid.
• Pressure cook on a low to medium flame, and allow it to cook for 2-3 whistles.
• Turn off the stove after, and let it stay for 5-10 minutes.

Serve the Kitchari in a bowl, pour a littleGheeor butter on top of it, and garnish it with coriander leaves. When eating Indian, do as the Indians do: Eat it alongside Pride of India Papadums, curd, and/or pickle.

Pro tip:You can also experiment by adding chicken, cottage cheese, and/or more veggies to give this oh-so-humble dish a distinct flavor of your choice.

Comfort served in a bowl!