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Kitcheri

Written by
Irma Jennings, INHC
Uploaded
August 12

https://food4healthybones.com

Kitcheri

Kitcheri, a relatively simple stew of basmati rice and yellow split mung beans, is a staple in Ayurvedic* cooking. It is delicious, easy to digest, nourishing and yet light. It is commonly the primary dish served during cleansing and rejuvenation programs (panchakarma). It is a great choice when you are ill, recovering from an illness, feeling a bit “off” ~ or anytime you just feel like it!
Profound healing can occur simply by adding kitcheri to one’s diet on a regular basis. It is suitable for all body types and can be made in an endless number of variations. It is quite affordable, and the ingredients can always be available in your kitchen. Kitcheri can be served by itself or with vegetables, and the consistency may be like a soup or more like a rice dish or casserole, depending on personal preference and one’s digestive capability.
* The term "Ayurveda" comes from Sanskrit, where "ayur" means life and "veda" means science or knowledge. Ayurveda takes a holistic view of health, considering the mind, body, and spirit as interconnected.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4
Calories 370 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 saute pan large
  • 1 knife
  • 1 cutting board

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup basmati rice
  • 1/2 cup split mung beans (yellow mung dhal)
  • 2 tbsp ghee (clarified butter) or coconut oil
  • 1 tsp cumin seed (whole)
  • 1 tsp black mustard seed (whole)
  • 1 tsp fennel seed (ground or seeds)
  • 1 tsp turmeric (ground)
  • 1 tsp coriander
  • 1 tsp sea salt or to taste
  • 2 tbsp fresh ginger (grated or finely chopped)
  • 1 pinch asafoetida (hing) helps relieve gas
  • 1 pinch black pepper
  • 5 cups water
  • 4 cups vegetables 3-4 cups vegetables, chopped (amount may vary, depends on vegetable). Ideally, choose seasonal vegetables.

Instructions
 

  • Soak the mung beans for a few hours to overnight for increased ease of digestion.
  • Heat the ghee or oil in a large, deep saucepan and add the mustard seeds.
  • When the mustard seeds pop, add all remaining spices except salt.
  • Sauté for a minute or so, then add the split mung beans and rice. Stir until all foods are flavored and colored with the spice mixture.
  • Add water and bring to a boil.
  • Cover, reduce heat to a simmer and let cook for about 20 minutes or until the beans are completely soft. Then add the salt.
  • Add more water if you prefer a more soupy consistency.
  • Add your chosen vegetables during the last 15 minutes of your cooking time.
  • If desired, serve with grated coconut, fresh lime, chopped cilantro, plain yogurt, ghee, and/or sesame seeds

Notes

The nutritional information is automatically calculated and can vary based on ingredients and products used.

Nutrition

Calories: 370kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 15gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 693mgPotassium: 465mgFiber: 11gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 9302IUVitamin C: 19mgVitamin E: 0.1mgVitamin K: 0.3µgCalcium: 87mgIron: 4mgMagnesium: 62mgPhosphorus: 148mgSelenium: 6µgZinc: 1mg
Keyword basmati rice, kitcheri, mung beans, warming spices
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Golden Milk

As the weather is turning chilly and I feel the need to stay warm, I makethis delicious drink to warm and comfort me while providing nourishment.
Golden milk is a traditional Indian drink made with turmeric, cinnamon,ginger, and other spices.
Turmeric is good for you for areason. If you have an autoimmune condition then turmeric milk can help due toits anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric is one of Mother Nature’s tophealing compounds and studies * have shown that curcumin, the activeingredient in turmeric, can help certain autoimmune conditions by regulatinginflammatory signals.
Turmeric is also a potent antioxidant. It can fight free radicals andcan even help ward off the common cold. All because it fights  chronicinflammation  ** that may otherwise be suppressing your immune system.
Drinking Golden Milk is also a good source of calcium and vitamin D.
*https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17569223/
 ** https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2637808/
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Beverages
Cuisine Indian
Servings 1
Calories 145 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 saucepan
  • 1 mug

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cups low fat milk (whole-milk, soy, coconut, oat) If you’re using nut milk, try adding a splash of coconut oil. It helps to give your golden milk that extra fat content to absorb the turmeric compounds.
  • 1 tsp maple syrup or honey
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 pinch black pepper to activate the compound curcumin in turmeric
  • 1 pinch sea sat

Instructions
 

  • Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat until nearly simmering.
  • Add sweetener, vanilla extract, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper and salt to a heatproof mug. Pour the steamed milk into the mug and stir until combined.
  • Add extra sweetener if needed.
  • Serve warm. 

Notes

The nutritional information is automatically calculated and can vary based on ingredients and products used.

Nutrition

Calories: 145kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 8gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 94mgPotassium: 440mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 463IUVitamin C: 0.3mgVitamin D: 3µgVitamin E: 0.1mgVitamin K: 1µgCalcium: 309mgIron: 1mgMagnesium: 35mgPhosphorus: 248mgSelenium: 6µgZinc: 1mg
Keyword ginger, golden milk, turmeric
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Tulsi (Holy Basil) Tea

Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum, or Ocimum tenuiflorum) has roots that run deep in Indian Ayurveda. Its Hindu name, tulsi, translates to “the incomparable one” due to its incredible variety of health and medicinal applications, not just nutritionally — but in mind, body, and spirit.  
It is an aromatic herb with a peppery, clove-like scent, and is commonly used to treat respiratory issues like bronchitis, congestion, and sinusitis (ii). Because of these applications, preparing the herb as a tea is the most common way to reap its benefits.   
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 8 minutes
Course Snack, Teas
Cuisine Indian
Servings 1
Calories 25 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 tea pot
  • 1 cup

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp Holy Basil Tulsi Tea Bag or loose tea
  • 1 cup Hot water
  • 1 slice ginger optional
  • 1 slice lemon optional
  • 1 slice dehydrated orange optional
  • 1 tsp raw honey optional

Instructions
 

Tea Bag

  • Place one tea bag in cup of boiling water
  • Brew for 3 minutes
  • Remove tea bag
  • Add optional ginger, lemon or dehydrated orange

Loose Tea

  • Place 1 tbsp loose tea into tea ball
  • Steep for 3 minutes in boiling water
  • Remove tea ball
  • Add optional ginger, lemon or dehydrated orange

Video

Notes

The nutritional information is automatically calculated and can vary based on ingredients and products used.

Nutrition

Calories: 25kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.03gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 22mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 3mgIron: 0.1mgMagnesium: 2mgPhosphorus: 2mgSelenium: 0.1µgZinc: 0.03mg
Keyword Holy Basil, tea, Tulsi
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Tandoori Masala Chickpeas

Tandoori masala is a mixture of spices for flavoring foods cooked in a tandoor or clay oven, often used in traditional north Indian and Afghani cooking. But, we are making out dish in a skillet on the stove top. It is usually made with powdered garlic, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, mace, cumin, coriander seeds, fenugreek, cinnamon, black pepper and cardamom. You can purchase this spice here. Cut and paste into your browser: https://amzn.to/3C8jU4V
Chickpeas are what’s known as a complete protein because they contain all nine essential amino acids, which are building blocks that help our bodies function properly. Chickpeas are also an excellent source of non-animal protein. In addition, chickpeas are also brimming with vitamins and minerals. These include calcium, magnesium, potassium, folate and iron.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American, Indian
Servings 2
Calories 431 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 knife
  • 1 Skillet

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tsp coconut oil
  • 3/4 cup coconut milk unsweetened, full fat
  • 1 Tbsp Tandoori Masala Spice
  • 1.5 cups chickpeas organic, canned
  • 1 clove garlic diced
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil extra virgin
  • 2 Tbsp red onion diced
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 red pepper large and thinly sliced
  • 4 collard leaves medium sized, remove stems, stack leaves, roll and slice thinly
  • 1/2 lemon juice
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil extra virgin
  • 1 dash black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Melt the coconut oil in a skillet set over medium-high heat.
  • Add tandoori seasoning, salt and pepper.
  • Stir the spices for a few seconds to wake up the flavor.
  • Add onion and continue to stir the mixture until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
  • Add the garlic and cook another minute.
  • Add the coconut milk and mix.
  • Add the chickpeas.
  • Cover skillet and simmer on medium heat for 7-10 minutes.
  • Collards: remove stems, stack leaves, roll and slice thinly.
  • Slice the red pepper
  • In a saucepan, steam the collards and the red bell pepper until the collards becomes wilted and bright green (don’t let it lose its color by over steaming).
  • Remove veggies from the heat, drain and transfer to a serving plate.
  • Drizzle veggies with lemon juice and olive oil.
  • Serve the chickpeas with the vegetables on the side.
  • Leftovers can be eaten for tomorrow’s lunch.

Notes

These nutrition facts are for 1 serving of your recipe. Total servings for this recipe: 2
The nutritional information is automatically calculated and can vary based on ingredients and products used.

Nutrition

Calories: 431kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 14gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 18gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 607mgPotassium: 708mgFiber: 12gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1975IUVitamin C: 63mgVitamin K: 95µgCalcium: 137mgIron: 7mgMagnesium: 111mgPhosphorus: 310mgSelenium: 5µgZinc: 3mg
Keyword chickpeas, garbanzo beans, Tandoori Masala Spice
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Tandoori Cashews

Tandoori is an incredibly popular spice blend originating from Northern India, and while it’s exact ingredients vary regionally and throughout time, the blend I use includes, Coriander, Ginger, Cardamom, Cumin, Paprika, Turmeric, Sea Salt and Cayenne Pepper. While making this from scratch can be fun, you can also purchase a pre-made blend to keep in your pantry. Here is a link to purchase it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Djtqng
Cashews are low in sugar and rich in fiber, heart-healthy fats, and plant protein. They're also a good source of copper, magnesium, and manganese — nutrients important for energy production, brain health, immunity, and bone health.
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See all recipes here.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine Indian
Servings 8
Calories 183 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups cashews organic, raw
  • 1/2 lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp Tandoori spice

Tandoori Spice

  • 1 tsp ginger ground
  • 1 tsp cumin ground
  • 1 tsp coriander ground
  • 1 tsp paprika ground
  • 1 tsp turmeric ground
  • 1 tsp salt sea
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper ground

Instructions
 

  • pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F
  • place cashews in a bowl
  • add lemon juice
  • mix to coat all the cashews
  • sprinkle with tandoori spice to fully coat the cashews
  • place on a baking sheet
  • place into oven and cook until dried and lightly browned
  • cool and place into glass jar for storage

Notes

These nutrition facts are for 1 serving of your recipe.
Total servings for this recipe: 8
The nutritional information is automatically calculated and can vary based on ingredients and products used.

Nutrition

Calories: 183kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 6gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 295mgPotassium: 242mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 181IUVitamin C: 4mgVitamin K: 11µgCalcium: 17mgIron: 3mgMagnesium: 97mgPhosphorus: 195mgSelenium: 6µgZinc: 2mg
Keyword cashews, Lemon, tandoori
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Irma Jennings, INHC - Osteoporosis Patient Navigator

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