Kedgeree

A while back on someone’s blog I commented on their kedgeree post that I’d never seen it with salmon, only chicken. She responded that she’d never seen it with anything but salmon! Well that’s when I realized I was mixing up the words kedgeree and biriyani. Yes, nothing in common at all. I’ll blame it on being old.

Both Indian dishes are rice-based, and both are served with hard-boiled eggs… but yet, not really similar. How I could confuse the names is beyond me!

Kedgeree can be as simple as a curried rice topped with prepared salmon, but I wanted something a little more fun, so I reached for Gordon Ramsay’s Cooking for Friends, published in 2009.

His recipe includes salmon and shrimp, but also quail eggs, which I couldn’t get my hands on.

Gordon Ramsay’s Posh Kedgeree

2 3/4 cups chicken or fish stock (I used both)
A few sprigs of fresh thyme
Pinch of saffron strands
9 ounces skinless, lightly smoked salmon fillet
7 ounces large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large shallots, minced
2 tablespoons butter, cut in pieces
1 teaspoon mild curry powder
2 cups basmati rice
12 quail eggs, at room temperature ( used 4 eggs)
Handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, leaves chopped
Lemon wedges for garnish

Put the stock, thyme, saffron, and a little salt and pepper into a saucepan. Bring to a simmer, then gently lower the salmon fillet into the stock and poach for 4 minutes. Lift the fish out with a slotted spatula onto a warm plate. Add the shrimp to the stock and poach just until they turn firm and opaque, about 2 minutes.

I had lightly smoked the salmon using my stove-top smoker before starting this recipe.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the shrimp to the plate of salmon. Cover with foil and keep warm.

Strain the stock and discard the thyme; set aside. Return the pan to the heat and add the olive oil, shallots, and some seasoning. Fry, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are soft but not browned, 4–6 minutes. Add the butter and curry powder. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes, then tip in the rice. Stir and cook for 2 minutes longer, to toast the rice lightly.

Add a generous seasoning of salt and pepper and pour in the stock. Stir and bring to a simmer. Cover the pan with a lid and let simmer for 10 minutes. Without lifting the lid, remove the pan from the heat and let the rice stand for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook the quail eggs in boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain and refresh under cold running water. Crack and peel off the skins, then cut each egg in half. I obviously used un-posh, medium-sized chicken eggs.

Fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains, then taste and adjust the seasoning, adding a bit more butter if you wish. Break the salmon fillet into large flakes and add to the rice, along with the shrimp and most of the chopped parsley. Gently mix the ingredients through the rice. Pile onto warm plates and garnish with the quail eggs, remaining parsley, and lemon wedges.

Serve at once.

The salmon is so tender I might cook it this way in the future. And the slight smokiness is wonderful. Altogether a delightful set of flavors and textures.

Mine was not quite as posh as Chef Ramsay’s, without the quail eggs, but I don’t think I could have peeled a dozen quail eggs, either.

I’m happy with how this dish came out!

By Published On: August 3rd, 202136 Comments on Kedgeree

About the Author: Chef Mimi

As a self-taught home cook, with many years in the culinary profession, I am passionate about all things food-related. Especially eating!

36 Comments

  1. Eva Taylor August 3, 2021 at 6:10 AM - Reply

    That was me! I blogged about this recipe in October 2020! Glad you found a recipe that suited you. Salmon and shrimp sound lovely. You’ve reminded me that I need to make this recipe again, plus I love the addition of shrimp and quail eggs.
    Éva http://kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com/

    • chef mimi August 3, 2021 at 6:23 AM - Reply

      Oh!!!! I couldn’t remember who it was!!! You probably thought I was nuts. How I mixed up these names is beyond me. The way the seafood was poached in this recipe makes the dish really outstanding.

      • Eva Taylor August 11, 2021 at 7:31 AM

        Sounds wonderful, I’ll give it a try next time.

      • chef mimi August 11, 2021 at 7:32 AM

        It’s a very nice dish.

  2. popsiclesociety August 3, 2021 at 7:46 AM - Reply

    I love the presentation! It must be really flavorful 😋

    • chef mimi August 3, 2021 at 8:15 AM - Reply

      Thank you! It’s really good, and the seafood is cooked gently!

  3. Dorothy's New Vintage Kitchen August 3, 2021 at 8:33 AM - Reply

    This looks very tasty! Love the combo of salmon and shrimp.

    • chef mimi August 3, 2021 at 10:24 AM - Reply

      A very nice combination indeed. And the poaching really worked beautifully on the seafood.

  4. angiesrecipes August 3, 2021 at 8:41 AM - Reply

    That looks so so tasty with all the plump shrimp and edible flowers. I thought you could make biriyani with anything you like.

    • chef mimi August 3, 2021 at 10:24 AM - Reply

      Probably, but I think it’s traditionally with chicken, and kedgeree with salmon?! Not really sure. But this is a great recipe!

  5. cookingwithauntjuju.com August 3, 2021 at 4:30 PM - Reply

    So many ingredients – so many recipes – so confusing (sometimes) so little time! Thumbs up with the shrimp and an added bonus with salmon as I have both in the freezer right now. Might have to make this!

    • chef mimi August 7, 2021 at 6:26 PM - Reply

      Oh, you’ll love it, if you haven’t had it before! And if you have, you’ll still love it! Yes, so many recipe names, so many cuisines…

  6. thatskinnychickcanbake August 3, 2021 at 5:15 PM - Reply

    What a gorgeous dish! Plus, it sounds delish! I remember seeing quail eggs, and then when I wanted to use them on a blog post, I couldn’t find them anywhere.

    • chef mimi August 7, 2021 at 6:26 PM - Reply

      Well, they’re so pretty, but I can’t imagine peeling them!

  7. Ron August 4, 2021 at 12:04 AM - Reply

    Hi Mimi, your version of kedgeree looks and I’m sure tastes divine. Until we moved to Sweden I had always made it with salmon as well, but here it is often made with smoked salmon or haddock. I’ve not tried it with prawns but will the next time we have it. Thanks for the inspiration…

    • chef mimi August 7, 2021 at 6:27 PM - Reply

      Smoked haddock sounds divine. I’m glad I smoked the salmon a bit. It really enhanced all of the flavors.

  8. sherry August 4, 2021 at 1:05 AM - Reply

    these days my poor old brain can’t remember anything! but to me kedgeree is always made with smoked fish of some kind usually haddock or cod. but your version sounds lush and lux and delish!

    • chef mimi August 4, 2021 at 12:36 PM - Reply

      I certainly know what you mean! Smoked fish sounds good. I’m glad I smoked the salmon a bit before poaching.

  9. Raymund August 4, 2021 at 3:33 PM - Reply

    Such a vibrant and very tasty dish! That smoked salmon gives this dish life

    • chef mimi August 4, 2021 at 3:41 PM - Reply

      It truly does! You’re so right!

  10. Ben | Havocinthekitchen August 5, 2021 at 6:15 AM - Reply

    I’ve only made Kedgeree once, and it was with cold-smoked salmon which, of course, was far from an authentic dish. This looks so delicious! I love the addition of shrimp and quickly smoked salmon – the flavours must be so good.

    • chef mimi August 5, 2021 at 6:44 AM - Reply

      The flavors and textures were fabulous. I can eat just about anything with lox, but yes, the traditional dish can’t be beat!

  11. Laura August 5, 2021 at 10:28 AM - Reply

    I’ve never made kegeree before, Mimi! But I love the variety of textures and spices here. I think lightly smoked salmon and tender shrimp sounds like a delightful combination!

    • chef mimi August 5, 2021 at 3:02 PM - Reply

      They really are! And I didn’t miss peeling the quail eggs!

  12. 2pots2cook August 6, 2021 at 4:52 AM - Reply

    Great one Mimi ! Again ! We both published quail egg recipes this week. LOL ! Great minds think alike, right ? :-)

    • chef mimi August 7, 2021 at 6:28 PM - Reply

      I know! And you had to peel those darn eggs! I’m secretly glad I couldn’t find any!!!

  13. Cynthia | What A Girl Eats August 7, 2021 at 8:54 PM - Reply

    I’ve had kedgeree before, but only with salmon. Nice twist on a classic!

    • chef mimi August 8, 2021 at 6:33 AM - Reply

      The shrimp added some poshness!

  14. sippitysup August 8, 2021 at 10:33 AM - Reply

    I can always count on you to introduce me to new flavors. As much as I love Indian food I’ve never come across this. GREG

    • chef mimi August 8, 2021 at 10:51 AM - Reply

      You are so welcome! And thanks!

  15. Karen (Back Road Journal) August 8, 2021 at 12:26 PM - Reply

    I saw kedgeree on a menu in London, it was a breakfast item there. Yours sounds very nice.

    • chef mimi August 8, 2021 at 1:08 PM - Reply

      Oooh, well it would be fabulous with eggs!

  16. David Scott Allen August 10, 2021 at 9:42 AM - Reply

    A very belated THANK YOU for the help with the smoker. My salmon came out perfectly and now I can make this kedgeree! Oddly, I have heard of it for so lung but never knew it was Indian. I somehow thought Irish! (Of course I hadn’t seen a recipe, either, but might have guessed Indian if I had… duh.)

    • chef mimi August 10, 2021 at 11:00 AM - Reply

      Ha! Indian, Irish… it’s just good! So glad you figured out the smoker. I only know how to use mine over the gas flames, but I love that thing!

  17. David @ Spiced August 12, 2021 at 7:03 AM - Reply

    Haha – I have totally had those moments when I either mix up words or just flat-out can’t remember the word. (That’s where my friend google comes in usually!) Either way, I appreciate you sharing this recipe. It sounds fantastic, Mimi!

    • chef mimi August 12, 2021 at 4:03 PM - Reply

      Thanks, David. It’s really good! (As long as you like salmon and shrimp!)

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