Khichdi

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈkɪt͡ʃdi/

Definitions

1. A traditional Indian dish, known for its mixture of rice and lentils, often seasoned and served with accompaniments
2. It is a comforting meal that blends different flavors, typically cooked until soft and homogenous
3. This dish symbolizes simplicity and nourishment, combining staple grains and pulses to create a wholesome food option

Etymology: Khichdi is a dish that has given its name to a close English cousin. The Hindi word "khicṛī" is the source, and the English word kedgeree, for a breakfast-style dish of rice, fish and eggs, descends from the same root, which makes the two terms doublets of one another. The Hindi name itself is tied to the simple, humble character of the food: a porridge-like combination of rice and split lentils cooked together until they merge into one soft mass. The English path ran through colonial India, where British residents adapted the dish to their own tastes. Khichdi was reshaped into kedgeree, with smoked or boiled fish, hard-boiled eggs and butter added, and it became a fixture of British breakfast tables. The two words now sit side by side in English, one naming the original Indian preparation and the other its Anglicised descendant.