Simple Spinach Khichdi

Comforting khichdi, the ultimate South Asian pantry dish, turns rice and lentils into a creamy porridge. This version is perky and bright with frozen spinach, herbs, and a hot chile. Any long-grain rice (like jasmine) will do in place of basmati, as will any lentil from the soft and quick-cooking family—red, brown, green, or yellow (such as split mung beans).