Ramadan is a time of reflection, devotion, and togetherness. For my family, it’s also a time for cherished culinary traditions. One dish that my mom makes regularly during Ramadan is Nombu Kanji, a comforting and nourishing porridge that we enjoy for Iftar. This kanji is light yet filling, soothing the stomach after a long day of fasting, and packed with flavour from coconut and warm spices.
Unlike other porridges, our Nombu Kanji is made with rice, coconut, and aromatic spices that make it incredibly refreshing and easy to digest. It’s a simple yet flavourful dish that brings back so many childhood memories of Ramadan evenings spent with family.
Creamy Rice Porridge or Ramadan Kanji – Nombu Kanji
Ramadan Kanji or Nombu Kanji Cooking Video
Instant Pot Kerala Nombu Kanji or Ramadan Kanji- Rice Porridge in Coconut Milk
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Author: Thasneen
Recipe type: Soup
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients
To cook rice
- Rice, rinsed- 1½ cups (Ponni or Sona Massori or Porridge Rice)
- Fenugreek seeds- 1 tsp
- Garlic, chopped- 2 cloves or 1 tbsp
- Salt- 1 tsp
- Water- 3 cups
To grind
- Coconut, grated ( fresh or frozen)- 1½ cups
- Cumin seeds-1 tsp
- Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
- Water- 2½ cups
Other Ingredients
- Coconut milk-1 cup (I used canned thick consistency)
- Water- ½ cup
- Salt- 1½ to 2 tsp
Instructions
- Turn on the Instant Pot.
- Into the stainless steel pot, add the above-mentioned ingredients "to cook rice".
- Close with the lid.
- Select Pressure cook setting, set time to 15 minutes at high pressure.
- Into a blender, add the grated coconut with cumin seeds and turmeric powder along with 1 cup of water, grind or pulse for 2 minutes. Don't grind to a smooth paste, this is to extract the coconut milk out of the grated coconut.
- Pour the ground coconut to a strainer and extract the coconut milk into a bowl.
- Again add the coconut back to the blender jar & add 1 cup water, grind it.
- Extract the coconut milk to the bowl.
- Add ½ cup water, squeeze the grated coconut and strain the coconut milk.
- Total water added is 2½ cups to extract the coconut milk.
- After 15 minutes of pressure cooking the rice, do a quick pressure release.
- The rice will turn mushy.
- Add the extracted coconut milk, 2½ cups. Combine well with the rice.
- Select Saute Setting, at Normal or Medium temperature.
- Add salt, combine well.
- We will have to add ½ more water to thin down the kanji, combine well.
- Finally, add 1 cup coconut milk. I used canned thick consistency coconut milk.
- Combine well.
- Taste and add more salt to taste.
- Let the kanji come to a slight boil.
- Take the inner pot out of the Instant Pot.
- Serve in soup bowls and enjoy warm along with pickle.
