kedgeree

American  

[kej-uh-ree] / ˈkɛdʒ əˌri /

noun

1. East Indian Cooking. a cooked dish consisting of rice, lentils, and spices.

2. a cooked dish of rice, fish, hard-boiled eggs, butter, cream, and seasonings.

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kedgeree British  

/ ˌkɛdʒəˈriː /

noun

1. a lightly curried dish consisting of rice, cooked flaked fish, and hard-boiled eggs

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Etymology

Origin of kedgeree

First recorded in 1655–65, kedgeree is from the Hindi word khicṛī, khicaṛī

Explanation

Kedgeree is a traditional British dish whose roots go back to colonial India. Mainly served at breakfast, kedgeree is made from rice, eggs, smoked fish, and curry powder. Kedgeree evolved from a well-known Indian dish called kitchari or khichdi, a mixture of rice and lentils flavored with toasted spices. During colonial rule the British adapted kitchari using some of their own familiar ingredients, including smoked fish, eggs, and cream. A 1790 cook book included a recipe for kedgeree, the first known printed reference to the dish.

Example Sentences

For this recipe from our book “COOKish,” which limits recipes to just six ingredients without sacrificing flavor, we took inspiration from an Anglo-Indian dish called kedgeree.

From Washington Times • Apr. 28, 2023

She's making kedgeree, Victoire is making maafe, and May is making a dessert.

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2023

There’s a one-pan pumpkin pasta with amaretti biscuits and lemon thyme, and a quick smoked haddock kedgeree using pre-cooked rice.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 28, 2021

“Understanding, potentially, why she is making kedgeree for the Cabinet ministers up in the flat above. And how important that is to her as a woman, as anything else is important to her.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 8, 2020

He helped himself to a plentiful portion of kedgeree, Freddie watching him with repulsion mingled with envy.

From The Little Warrior by Wodehouse, P. G. (Pelham Grenville)