Mung Dal Kitcheree

A kitcheree is a traditional dish originating in North India that consists of legumes and rice and often vegetables. For those who enjoy Indian creations, this is a one-pot meal that won't take you long at all to prepare. Split mung beans are an especially easy legume to digest, making this a nourishing and restorative meal. I've always enjoyed the distinctive sweet and earthy aroma and flavor that these little gems impart to a dish. Here they are all nestled in with rice after simmered together with some spices and coconut milk.

To fill out the meal, serve with a vegetable side and some Indian savory flatbreads. I served it with butter paneer masala and a spicy potato and green bean salad.

Mung Dal Kitcheree

Recipe by Lisa Turner Cuisine: Indian Published on May 24, 2013 Simple, nourishing and delicious one-pot meal of sweet split mung beans and buttery rice with coconut milk and gentle Indian seasonings Preparation: 5 minutes Cooking time: 25 minutes Print this recipe Ingredients: 1 cup split mung beans (mung dal) 1 cup basmati rice 1/4 cup ghee, unsalted butter or sesame oil 4 to 5 whole cloves 1 teaspoon turmeric 1/4 teaspoon asafetida 1 cup coconut milk 3 cups hot water 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt, or to taste juice from 1 lemon (3 tablespoons) fresh cracked black pepper Instructions: Rinse the mung dal and rice under cold running water in a strainer. Heat the ghee, butter or oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. When hot, add the dal, rice and cloves to the pan and gently for 2 to 3 minutes. Now add the turmeric and asafetida and stir in the coconut milk and water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed and the lentils are tender. Quickly stir in the lemon juice, salt and pepper and let sit for 5 minutes, covered. Fluff with a fork, discard the cloves, and serve hot. Makes 4 to 6 servings

Other mung bean dishes you are sure to enjoy from my vegetarian kitchen:
Mung Bean Paneer
Mung Tamarind Dal
Indian Sour Mung Bean Soup
Indian Style Spicy Mung Beans (Moong Dal)