Kedgeree is a traditional British breakfast dish with Indian roots which can be enjoyed any time of the day. Featuring spiced rice, hot smoked white fish, peas, and hard-boiled eggs, it's a comforting flavor bomb!
I find inspiration for my recipes in many different places. Various TV shows, books, friends who tried a dish they loved while being on vacation, and the list goes on and on. Last week, for the first time in the life of this blog, I got a suggestion for my next dish in the comments section! Nico from the blog Yumsome (she lived in 51 places all around the world throughout her life - can you freaking believe it?) wrote under my English Breakfast post that I missed one traditional British breakfast dish - Kedgeree. The mistake has to be corrected, right? I immediately changed my schedule and made this interesting dish today!
I would really really love to get more your suggestions on what I have to make next or if you could share authentic recipes from your grandparents it would be even better. Thanks in advance!
Let's get back to Kedgeree. Basically, it's spiced rice mixed with flaked hot smoked fish (usually white, but I saw some recipes made with hot smoked salmon too), peas (I guess they are optional), and topped with hard-cooked eggs. And it's... A breakfast dish. For those of you who are familiar with British breakfast, it shouldn't come as a surprise because the custom of Britons to include smoked fish into their early morning fare is a known thing. This tradition fell out of favor lately but they still enjoy this smelly ingredient later in the day.
The love for smoked fish in my country is HUGE too but you won't find it on a breakfast table. Even I, a man who can eat almost anything in the morning, wouldn't be able to enjoy Kedgeree just out of the bed. It's really delicious but it's not a breakfast dish to me. More like a good weeknight dinner!
A little bit of history behind the dish. It is believed that Kedgeree was inspired by the Indian breakfast dish khichri made with rice and lentils. British colonials enjoyed it so much that they brought it back to the UK in Victorian times. With some changes, though... Yes, smoked fish and boiled eggs! Anglo-Indian cuisine was in trend at those times.
If you are not a fan of hot smoked fish, then you most probably won't enjoy this Anglo-Indian creation. The intense smoke flavor won't go anywhere because you are basically just mixing fish with spiced rice and peas. But if you are, just like me, then Kedgeree will be right up your alley! When all the spices blend with rice and fish, you get a marriage made in heaven! 
Kedgeree - British Rice with Smoked Fish
Ingredients
- 9 oz (250g) basmati rice
- 2 teaspoons Cumin seeds
- 2 teaspoons cilantro seeds
- 5 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 onions , peeled and sliced
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- 6 eggs
- 8 oz (225g) frozen peas
- 1 lb (450g) hot smoked fish (kipper, mackerel, haddock)
- 3 tablespoons (50ml) heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (or cilantro)
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives
Instructions
- Cook the rice according to package instructions. Drain, rinse, and set aside.
- Heat the oil in a skillet and add the salt, cumin seeds, and cilantro seeds. Toast them for 1-2 minutes over a low heat. Add the onions, cayenne, and garam masala. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes, over a very low heat.
- In the meantime, hard-boil the eggs. Put them in a bowl of cold water. Peel and cut them into quarters just before serving.
- Add the frozen peas to the onions and heat through. Add the flaked smoked fish. Now add the rice and mix everything well to combine. Add the cream and stir one more time.
- Served with the quartered eggs on top and sprinkled with the chopped parsley and chives.
Notes
Nutrition
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Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
My husband's grandparents were from England. That is how I heard about kippers. Although smoked fish is still something I still an not fond of, my hubby would love this dish. I'm sure if his grandfather was here, he would love it too.
Igor
My wife is also not a fan 🙂 I am pretty sure your husband would appreciate you making Kedgeree for him keeping in mind his roots 😉
Oriana @Mommy's Home Cooking
I haven't tried hot smoked fish yet, but this dish look amazing!! I am always looking for new recipes to try. Pinned.
Igor
Thanks, Oriana! Sometimes you have to try something new 😉
Gillian Thompson
Hi Igor, Fabulous recipe and I love smoked fish for breakfast, had it today in fact. In Japan you get a lot of smoked fish for breakfast too.
Igor
Seriously? I didn't know that fact about Japan. Thanks for the information!
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food
I can actually say that I HAVE had smoked fish for breakfast, despite not being of British or Indian descent! However, it was NOT in this delicious-looking format: this combination of spices—along with the eggs and rice—is MUCH more appealing.
Igor
Thanks for the kind words, Michelle!
Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy
What an interesting dish! I've never thought to cook rice with fish in it! Very very interesting!
Igor
It really is, Tina. Do try it!
Manav @ Drooling Foodies
Amazing recipe. Too bad I have to wait till my uric acid gets better to try this recipe.
Igor
I hope you get better!