Ayurvedic Cleanse Recipe: Simple Kitchari
Protein- and carbohydrate-rich kitchari, made of yellow mung dal and basmati rice along with spices and ghee, is used as a cleansing food in Ayurveda.
Protein- and carbohydrate-rich kitchari, made of yellow mung dal and basmati rice along with spices and ghee, is used as a cleansing food in Ayurveda.
Ingredients
- 2 cups yellow mung dal beans
- 2 tbsp ghee or organic sesame oil
- 2 tsp black mustard seeds
- 2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 1 tsp fenugreek seeds
- 2 tsp ground turmeric
- 2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup uncooked white basmati rice
- 2–5 cups of chopped, organic, seasonal vegetables, such as spinach, carrots, beets, sweet potato, squash, celery, kale, and bok choy (avoid all nightshades)
- 2 cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 green cardamom pods
- 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Preparation
Rinse and strain the mung dal beans until the water runs clear, about 5 times.
In a large pot over mediumhigh heat, heat the ghee or oil. Add the black mustard, cumin, fennel, and fenugreek seeds and toast until the mustard seeds pop, about 1 minute.
Add turmeric, black pepper, cumin, coriander, and cinnamon, and mix together.
Stir in the rice and beans.
Add 8 cups of water, chopped vegetables, cloves, bay leaves, and cardamom pods.
Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.
Cook at least one hour, until the beans and rice are soft and the kitchari has a porridgelike consistency.
Serve warm with fresh cilantro on top, if desired.
See also A Recipe for Nourishing Kitchari
Return to the 4-Day Ayurvedic Fall Cleanse
Nutrition Information
- Serving Size 8
- Calories 202
- Carbohydrate Content 47 g
- Cholesterol Content 0 mg
- Fat Content 5 g
- Fiber Content 12 g
- Protein Content 12 g
- Saturated Fat Content 2 g
- Sodium Content 0 mg
- Sugar Content 0 g
- Trans Fat Content 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat Content 0 g