Ayurveda teaches us to embrace natures cycles, winter is a time of rejuvenation, a time to go inward and nurture ourselves. Warm soup, spices, fires, sipping herbal teas, Ugg boots and of course soaking up the warmth of a beautiful hot yoga practice. Here are a few of my winter favourite recipes 🙂
Kitchari:
Ingredients:
1 cup basmati rice (washed 7 times in cold water)
1 cup mung dhal (washed)
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 piece of ginger, finely chopped
1 very small pinch of asafetida
1 teaspoon ground coriander
2 tablespoons ghee
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon. Salt
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
Preparation: Wash rice and mung dhal in cold water 7 times and keep ready. Heat up the
ghee in a heavy bottom pan and add the mustard seeds. Fry on medium heat till they start to
pop up. Add the rest of the spices and fry till they turn golden brown and give an aromatic
smell (approximately 30 sec – 1 min). Do not allow them to burn. Add the rice and mung
dhal, stir for a few seconds so that the mixture is coated with ghee, then add 4 cups boiling
water. Cook with occasional stirring till all the rice and dhal are soft and mushy in
consistency. Serves 4 people.
Spicy Chai Bliss balls:
Ingredients:
12 medjool dates
1 cup dry roasted almonds
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ginger
½ teaspoon cardamom
¼ teaspoon Chinese five spice
¼ teaspoon cloves
¼ teaspoon all spice
½ teaspoon concentrated natural vanilla extract
pinch of salt
Place the ingredients into your processor and blend at high
speed until the mixture resembles a fine, sticky crumb. Use
your hands to press and shape the mixture into balls. Place in
the fridge to set.
Enjoy!
Lots of love,
Gopali
