HEALING, PROTEIN-PACKED KITCHARI RECIPE

Kitchari (also spelled khichdi or khichri) is a staple Ayurvedic healing food.

This complete protein meal nourishes, cleanses, detoxifies, and heals your digestive tract. It's a tasty blend of rice and mung dal. Kitchari is a nutritious and balanced meal that is often eaten during times of cleansing, such as during a fast or after an illness.

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup basmati rice

1 cup mung dal (split yellow)

6 cups (approx.) water

1/2 to 1-inch ginger root, chopped or grated

a bit of mineral salt (1/4 tsp. or so)

2 tsp. ghee

1/2 tsp. coriander powder

1/2 tsp. cumin powder

1/2 tsp. whole cumin seeds

1/2 tsp. mustard seeds

1/2 tsp. turmeric powder

1 pinch asafoetida (hing)

Handful of fresh cilantro leaves

1 and 1/2 cups assorted vegetables (optional)

Photo Credit:easyindiancookbook.com

INSTRUCTIONS:

Carefully pick over the rice and dal to remove any stones. Wash each separately in at least 2 changes of water. Add the 6 cups of water to the rice and dal and cook covered until it becomes soft about 20 minutes.

 While that is cooking, prepare any vegetables that suit your constitution. Cut them into smallish pieces. Add the vegetables to the cooked rice and dal mixture and cook 10 minutes longer.

 In a separate saucepan, sauté the seeds in the ghee until they pop. Then add the other spices. Stir together to release the flavours. Stir the sautéed spices into the cooked dal, rice, and vegetable mixture. Add the mineral salt and chopped fresh cilantro, and serve.

 *Add a salad to this meal for extra fibre.