Ayurveda Recipe: Healing Kitchari

Kitchari is one of the staple and most important dishes in an Ayurvedic and yogic diet. Usually a mix of two grains. Kitchari is easy to digest and cleanses the entire body. Whenever you feel like you have over-indulged or your digestive system feels sluggish, just cook this easy one-pot recipe to refresh your system.

Ingredients

• 1/4th cup of yellow moong dal (split)
• 1/4th cup of basmati rice
• 1 zucchini – cut in cubes
• 2 carrots – cut in cubes
• 2 celery stick – cut in 4 halves
• 2 tsp of fresh ginger – grated
• 1 tsp of turmeric powder
• 1tsp of cumin seeds
• ½ tsp of cumin powder
• ½ tsp of coriander powder
• 3 tsp of himalayan salt
• 2 tbsp of olive oil or ghee
• A small bunch of fresh cilantro – chopped

Preparation

• Clean and soak the moong dal in water for at least 30 minutes
• Wash the rice thoroughly and put it in the rice cooker along with the moong dal
• Add all the chopped vegetables and spices
• Next add water 5 cups of water and let the dish cook on its own
• Once the rice and dal is soft, remove from the stove and add some ghee or olive oil
• Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro

Why is Kitchari so amazing?

• Kitchari heals the gut—one of the main teachings of Ayurveda is that a healthy digestive system is the mainstay of a healthy mind and body. 
• Kitchari not only cleanses the toxins from our gut, but nourishes it as well
• Not only is it healing for the body, but nourishing for the mind.
• It balances all the three doshas—Kapha, Pitta, and Vatta