I love trying new dishes and enjoy attempting unique ethnic ones because its fun and exciting, and they usually turn out pretty darn good! For a few weeks I have had my eye on a kitchari recipe as I have always been interested in trying it. I went to the co-op and got all the yummy, organic ingredients to try it. For those of you who are wondering…….
What is Kitchari?
Kitchari is a traditional Ayurvedic dish that is known for its ability to detox and balance the body. It is a mixture, usually of two grains that is nourishing and easy for the body to digest. In India, this versatile dish is eaten any time of the day, one can have it for breakfast to kickstart the day, it makes a wholesome lunch on any hectic weekday, or a comforting soothing dish in the evening.
Benefits of Kitchari
- Builds Vitality and Strength
- Reawakens the Digestive System
- Removes Toxins from Bodily Systems
- Restores energy
- Medicinal Benefits from Spices
Kitchari Kicked-Up a Notch!
This version of Kitchari it has fresh, raw veggies to add life and nutrients to an already nutritious meal. Raw, uncooked vegetables are live food. Cooking can kill some of the nutrients and enzymes- their “vital life force”. By incorporating raw foods into our diet our bodies get the essential nutrients they need to create and maintain energy.
Ingredients for Raw Marinated Veggies
- 1 cup of assorted veggies (colorful peppers, zucchini, onion, avocado, cucumber, zucchini, radishes, cherry tomatoes)
- 1 -2 tsp Organic Coconut Oil or Ghee
- 1-2 tsp pure Maple Syrup
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp Lime/Lemon Juice
- Water as needed to make the sauce
Mix all these ingredients in a bowl with the assorted veggies. For best flavors to come out keep these veggies marinated for at least 30 mins.
Kitchari Recipe:
- 1 cup Organic White Basmati Rice or quinoa (preferably soaked for 3-4 hrs)
- 1 cup Organic Mung Dahl (preferably soaked for 2-3 hrs)
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1-2 tsp Paprika powder
- 2-3 tbsp chopped Cilantro
- 1 tsp freshly squeezed Lime/Lemon Juice
- Salt to taste
- approx. 2-4 cups of Water or bone broth
Cook the grains and mung dahl accordingly in water/broth in a stockpot. Once cooked add spices and seasonings, cilantro and lemon juice and cook until the consistency is thick and mushy.
Once cooked remove from heat and mix in marinated veggies and serve. Kitchari is easy to prepare and tastes delicious!
Enjoy!
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