Multigrain Lentil Meat Porridge

Porridge with chicken

Sometimes we wonder what to do with the left overs coz we don’t want to eat them over and over again. This is one such dish where you can use any left over meat such as chicken, beef or lamb, combine it with lentils and multi grains to make a quick wholesome meal in the Instant pot in 30 minutes.

I cooked the multi grains and lentils in the instant pot for 15 minutes using the soup setting then I threw in the left over chicken which I shredded before adding and then another 10 minutes on “sauté less” setting.  Meanwhile I prepared the tempering with onions and whole spices and I poured it over the lentil multi grain meaty porridge et voilà the dinner was ready. This was such a wholesome nutritious, tasty and delicious meal that we licked the pot clean. It is not only delicious but also so comforting to eat especially in winter.

Porridge with chicken

Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients:
a handful or 1/4 cup each
split chickpea lentils
yellow pigeon pea lentils
red (masoor) lentils
yellow (moong) lentils
white or brown rice
pearl barley
bulgur wheat
steel cut oats
shredded chicken/lamb/beef
1 medium sized Onion sliced
1 tsp chopped ginger
2-4 long green chillies
1/4 cup chopped Cilantro
a few leaves of mint
1 tsp ginger garlic paste
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp red chilli powder (optional)
2 black cardamoms
4 green cardamoms
4 cloves
1x 2 inch cinnamon stick
2 bay leaves
1/4 cup vegetable oil/ghee (clarified butter)

Porridge with beef

Instructions:
1. Wash and rinse all the lentils and multi-grains in running water till clear. Put them in the Instant Pot, add 4 cups of water, close the lid and turn the vent to sealing position. Plug in the instant pot, press the soup button on and set it for 15 minutes.

2. Meanwhile shred the left over beef and keep it ready.

3. After 15 minutes, vent out the steam manually or wait for natural release. Then add the shredded beef mix everything well and set it on “sauté less” mode with lid uncovered for 10 minutes.

4. For tempering heat the vegetable oil in a small tempering pan and fry the sliced onions with the whole spices (cloves, cinnamon, black and green cardamoms and bay leaves) till golden brown. Add the ginger garlic paste, turmeric and red chilli powder. Throw in the Instant pot the chopped cilantro and ginger.

5. Immediately pour the hot tempering on the grain lentil meat mixture in the Instant pot on top of the chopped cilantro and ginger as this gives more flavour.

6. This wholesome nutritious porridge is now ready to enjoy.

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Talbina (Barley Porridge)

Rice Kheer Porridge

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