Spring Kitchari

Since summer is taking it’s sweet time best not to launch into eating huge salads just yet. Keep your food warm and digestible with warming spices and add yummy asparagus and green onions from the garden.

SPRING KITCHARI Ayurveda’s Healing Meal 

We love kitchari—and not just because it is delicious. Kitchari is one of the few foods that provides both nourishment for the body and benefits digestion due to its spice combination. This makes kitchari ideal during stress, illness, change of seasons, and it is the primary food during Ayurvedic internal cleansing. 

 INGREDIENTS

2-3 TBS ghee or coconut oil

·       1 1/2 cup split red lentil, rinsed well and drain

·       1/2 cup brown basmati rice, rinsed well and drained 

·       2 cups cubed sweet potato, 2 scallions, ½ onion, 1 cup chopped asparagus

·       4-5 thin slices of fresh ginger root 

·       6 cups of water 

 You can use 1 heaping Teaspoon of Kitchari Spice Mix consisting of cumin, fennel, mustard seed, turmeric, asafoetida, fenugreek

 INSTRUCTIONS

1.    Using a heavy-bottomed pot, heat the ghee or coconut oil on medium heat. 

2.    Sautee the Kitchari Spice Mix with all veggies minus asparagus (added in the last 10 minutes) for 15 min.

3.    Add the drained red lentil and stir until the mix is well seasoned. 

4.    Add the rice, water and bring the mixture to boil on medium heat, then cover the pot and turn the heat down and let it simmer until both the rice and dal are mushy (approximately 30-45 minutes). Add water as needed to prevent scorching. The consistency should be that of a thick vegetable stew. 

5.    You may have to experiment with the amount of water you use to find the right consistency for you (the more water, the thinner the consistency). 

6.    You may also choose to add small cut vegetables like asparagus and carrots with ½ cup of cilantro 10 minutes before serving.

7.    Serve hot. Enjoy! 

GARNISHES

Try these garnishes for added flavor.
• Coconut (great for pitta, good for vata, best to avoid for kapha) 

• Cilantro (great for pitta, okay for vata and kapha)
• Lime (great for everyone!)