When it comes to Kitchari, people often ask me if there is a replacement for the rice in the recipe. Usually I just say quinoa, or omit. But there’s another option I’ve long wanted to try. Broccoli rice.
In my kitchen today I had half a head of cauliflower and some stalks of broccolini, so I put them both, in separate batches, in the blender to see if broccolini would chop up, as cauliflower does, into little rice-like “grains.”
Of course it does, and it makes the prettiest little emerald florets. Stirred in with mung dal it makes a lighter version of creamy Kitchari, which is perfect for February days when winter starts to get heavy, but you still want a steamy, spicy bowl of hearty nourishment.
Winter Kitchari Recipe
Serves 2
Replace basmati with a broccoli-cauliflower rice for a lighter version of every day kichari. It takes about 20 minutes, and with a blender to do your chopping it couldn’t be easier.
Ingredients
1/2 cup split mung beans, also called yellow dal
1 tablespoon ghee
1 teaspoon curry powder or kitchari spice
3 cups low sodium, organic vegetable broth
1/2 head cauliflower, broken into florets
1 small bunch broccolini florets
Instructions
Rinse the mung in a strainer until the water runs clear. Melt the ghee over medium heat. Add the spice and sauté 1 minute. Stir in the rinsed mung to coat with the spiced ghee.
Pour in the vegetable broth, and turn the heat to high. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cook, covered, at a low boil for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, put the florets in an electric blender and blend until finely chopped. Stir this green and white “rice” in to the kichari, replace the cover, and cook another 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let stand covered another 5 minutes.
When it’s done, it should be like a savory porridge. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with pesto, roasted pumpkin seeds, fermented kraut, shoyu sauce, orange or lemon zest, a squirt of fresh lemon juice, cilantro or parsley, none of the above, all of the above, whatever takes your fancy. Enjoy!
You will find a Kitchari recipe for every season in my new book Ayurveda Cooking For Beginners, which is out now! I am so excited for you to get this book, and to eat Ayurvedically that I want to give away an entire Kitchari Kit as a thank you present. That means a bag of split mung beans, a bag of basmati, a small bag of kitchari spices, a jar of ghee, enough for 7 days of Kitchari and all shipped straight to your door.
Just go get a copy of my book, let me know you’ve purchased it in a comment below and I will shuffle all the names to randomly, blindly pick a recipient this Friday. {Congratulations to Karen for winning the draw.}
Thank you!
A Kitchari Kit, what a good idea! Just had turmeric milk from your book this afternoon (so wonderful) and will absolutely be making this kitchari with broccoli rice too. Fabulous idea! Also, any reason I couldn’t use whole mung beans (of course soaked) in place of split?
Thanks Katie! I am glad to hear you enjoyed the golden milk. Of course while mung would also be good (soaked and probably a longer cook time, which you know). Yes. And thank Ji again for sharing the Thai Noodle Salad from the book. I’ve loved sharing your gorgeous photos!
You are more than welcome, it was truly my pleasure. Appreciate your kind words when sharing the picture and link on IG. xo
Laura, this was fabulous! I love how nutrient dense the soup is with the cauliflower and broccoli. I still added some basmati rice because it’s cold and rainy here and I’m not yet feeling like lighter springtime fare. 😉 But this is simple and so warming. Thank you!
Thanks Katie. I feel honored that you tried it! Wishing you an early spring 🌿
Hi laura this is not about the kitcharI. My daughter has ordered your book for me from amazon UK. But they keep putting the date back and it is now 2-3 months. I just wondered if you can confirm we will be able to get it in the UK thank you
Hi Julie, i am sorry to hear that! It maybe that the Publishers are still sorting out a UK deal. I am in India now or I’d send you a copy myself, but may be able to have someone ship you a copy now so you don’t have to wait. I’ll email you privately k? thanks!
Thank you for taking the time to reply. I really appreciate it julie
Dear Laura, I purchased your book the moment I read your post that it was available! As I anxiously await its arrival this week, I’m already dreaming of all the delicious recipes. I think its going to also make a great gift for friends. Congratulations again, on this wonderful accomplishment. Wishing you well, always, Erika
Thank you beautiful, generous Erika! I hope you find recipes you love 🌼
Great inspiration Laura! I’m going to make this todaybas Inhave everything on hand except cauliflower so will use broccoli and 1-2 the rice. Will let you know how it turned out! I have ordered the book for myself and a friend. I got the email this morning that it has shipped!! Also received the link for e version.. very exciting!!
peace, Karen
Thanks Karen! Please let me know how it is. I am upriver enjoying the moT wonderful kichari now with Madhav. We raise a glass of hot lemon ginger water in your honor!
It came out great! I actually added some carrots too to suit my husband’s taste ;o) and you also inspired me now to make some hot lemon ginger water too!
Please give Madhav a big hug from me! I am hoping to return to India in 2020. Enjoy your travels and I’ll enjoy making some of our favorite dishes from your new book over the next few weeks!!
karen, your name was drawn to receive the ktichari kit from banyan botanicals! congrats. i’ll send you an email for details.
I ordered 2 copies of the new book, one for myself, and one for my sister as a gift. Looking forward to making the delicious recipes!
Thank you Doriel. I hope you both find recipes and inspiration you love! 🕊
Laura, this is another precious recipe I can’t wait to try.
Thanks for sharing.
Love
Always Manu, I appreciate you! Baci
My book is supposed to arrive tomorrow!!! Can’t wait!! Looking forward to trying kitchari with broccoli and cauliflower rice.
How wonderful. Thank you Rhonda. I am upriver now in the Himalayas. I hope you and I will be able to enjoy a bowl together here one day.
Hi, Laura,
I’m excited to get started with your cookbook and would love to have my name entered in your “drawing.” Here’s the info from Amazon:
Thank you, your order has been placed.
An email confirmation has been sent to you.
New! Get shipment notifications on your mobile device with the free Amazon app.
Order Number: 113-0822051-7833010
Ayurveda Cooking for Beginners: An Ayurvedic Cookbook to Balance and Heal will be shipped to Marianne Taylor by Amazon.com.
Guaranteed delivery: Feb. 22, 2018
Ah Marianne! Thank you. I am doing this on the buddy system as I trust you, my friends and readers. And, I so appreciate you purchasing a book! I hope you love it! 💛
Your posts are beyond beautiful and you are double divine! Your book arrives tomorrow, I’m so happy to share your joy! Peace and Blessings☺️
Well Kate, that’s amazing because that’s how I feel about you! The way you share the joy, and the wisdom of Ayurveda lights up my heart. Thank you.
Two beautiful copies of your book were delivered to my door today! So excited to explore the final version, and so proud of you! Love, Sally
Thank you Sally. Thanks for your help with recipe testing! I am so honored and so fortunate to have your loving friendship and creative collaboration. xo
Your book just arrived today! It’s beautiful and I am so grateful. I love all the room in the margins to write my own notes ( I can never follow a recipe 🙂
Thank you Blessings,
Cindy
Oh Cindy, I am exactly the same way. At least you keep notes! You already know so much about Ayurveda, but I hope you find some inspiration to share. Big love!
I just made kitchari a couple of weeks ago. This version looks super yummy!
Thanks Brit! Hope all is wonderful in your world! 🌿