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Kedgeree (Kedgeree)

The Quirky Foodster Team

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4
Servings

Ingredients

  • Rice — 280 g (1.5 cups)
  • Smoked haddock — 400 g (14 oz)
  • Hard-boiled eggs, chopped — 3
  • Onion, chopped — 1
  • Butter — 2 tbsp
  • Curry powder — 1 tsp
  • Milk — 480 ml (2 cups)
  • Chopped parsley, to garnish
  • Salt and pepper — to taste

Method

  1. Poach the smoked haddock gently in the milk for 8–10 minutes until cooked through; remove, reserving the milk, and flake the fish, discarding skin and bones.
  2. Cook the rice in salted water until tender; drain.
  3. Melt the butter in a frying pan and sauté the onion until softened.
  4. Add the curry powder and cook briefly.
  5. Add the cooked rice and flaked fish, stirring to combine, and add a splash of the reserved poaching milk to moisten.
  6. Fold in the chopped hard-boiled egg.
  7. Season with salt and pepper, and garnish with chopped parsley before serving hot.

Introduction: Smoked fish, rice and hard-boiled egg combined with a touch of curry powder, a beloved Victorian breakfast dish reflecting Britain’s colonial ties to India.

Cultural Background: Kedgeree entered Victorian British breakfast tables via colonial connections with India, its combination of rice, fish and mild spice becoming a fixture of the elaborate breakfast spreads fashionable in Victorian country houses.

Tips: Poach the smoked haddock gently rather than boiling vigorously, to keep it tender. Use day-old rice if possible, as it holds together better in the finished dish.

Variations: Add a squeeze of lemon for brightness, a common modern addition. Adjust the curry powder quantity to taste.

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Reheating: Reheat gently in a pan with a splash of milk, stirring, until warmed through.

Nutrition: Per serving (approx.): 380 kcal, 26 g protein, 14 g fat, 40 g carbohydrate.

FAQs:

Q: How did kedgeree come to Britain?

A: It reflects the culinary exchange of the British Raj, colonial administrators and their families bringing the dish back from India and adapting it for the British breakfast table.

Q: Was kedgeree a common everyday breakfast?

A: It was particularly associated with the elaborate breakfast spreads of Victorian country houses and the upper and middle classes rather than an everyday meal for all.

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