Ayurvedic Kitchari
Nature provides us with an abundance of healing food.
Let Nature be your medicine.
Kitchari {kich-ah-ree} is a gut-healing, cleansing, anti-inflammatory and balancing blend of rice and lentils and spices hailing from India’s ancient healing system of Ayurveda.
It is well known that cleansing regularly, that is, giving our digestive system a break from time to time, is key to longevity, vitality and weight management. Kitchari is the greatest way to cleanse that I know of because, unlike juice fasts or water fasts, you can consume this savory, grounding, warming dish and be completely satisfied and not at all hungry.
The best part about kitchari, of course, is that it is so delicious! I make big pots of it each year for the Winter Solstice gathering and it is always a crowd pleaser. If you keep organic brown rice and red lentils and this kitchari seed blend stocked in your pantry and some fresh ginger laying around (which I recommend you do as it is so nice for grating into all kinds of foods and also for steeping) when you are in the mood for a nourishing bowl or a 3 day cleanse, you can whip this up!
To your health!
Love,
Sarah
Nutritious, unprocessed foods are the foundation for vibrant Health.
Featuring . . .
Nigella/ Nigella sativa // The aromatic and pungent seeds of the beautiful Love- In- A Mist flower seed head were found in the tomb of Tutankhamen, suggesting a long history of human reverence. Not only is Nigella anti- inflammatory and antimicrobial, but the seeds are also full of antioxidants and they are beautifully aromatic as well!
Mustard seeds/ Brassica nigra // Used to energize the body and restore courage, to encourage blood circulation, and to increase focus and alertness.
Cumin seeds/ Cuminum cyminum // Used to warm the digestive process, purify the blood, and support the respiratory system.
Fennel seeds/ Foeniculum vulgare // Used to decrease stress, calm the mind, for digestion and to clear negative energies.
Fenugreek/ Trigonella foenum-graecum // Used for grounding and improving digestion. It is also especially supportive for nursing mothers.
Tea Huntress Kitchari
You will need:
1 Tablespoon of coconut, avocado or canola oil or ghee.
1 Tablespoon of Tea Huntress Kitchari seed blend
1 Tablespoon of minced and de-seeded jalapeno or other green chili pepper
1 Tablespoon of grated fresh ginger root
1/2 cup of organic red lentils, rinsed in cool water
1/2 cup of short grain organic brown rice
2 teaspoons of sea salt
To make:
In a soup pot, heat the oil and add Tea Huntress Kitchari seed blend.
Turn the heat to high and place the lid on the pot .
When you hear the seeds popping, add the ginger and chilies and lower the heat to medium and Stir well.
Then, add the lentils and rice along with 2 cups of water.
Return the pot to a boil, add 2 more cups of water and the salt and then stir well.
Replace the lid and turn the heat to low.
Cook for at least 1 hour (some cook kitchari all day), stirring every 15 minutes to make sure that the bottom does not burn.
Add:
Salt to taste
Optional garnishes:
A handful of chopped spinach and. or cilantro
A dollop of plain yogurt
Cranberry or mango chutney
