Kitchari is a simple soupy blend of rice beans and spices that is delicious,
nutritious and super simple to prepare. Because it's so gentle and easy to
digest it's considered ayurveda's traditional cleansing food. This
digestibility makes it the ideal meal for the elderly or ill and it's often a
baby's first food. Some even consider it Ayurveda's vegetarian alternative to
chicken soup, perfect for when you're feeling under the weather, recovering
from stress or travel, in need of a cleanse or just looking for some comfort
food that will pick you up rather than bog you down. Kitchari is
balancing for all three of the doshas in ayurveda. If you don't know what a dosha
is, visit our website where you can learn about all of the doses of Ayurveda, find
out which one best describes you and your current state of balance and find
recipe ideas to tailor Kitchari just for you. The classic recipe calls
for white basmati rice, mung dal and spices. That makes this combination
plant-based and gluten free. But wait, why white rice and why mung dal? And what
even are those? Let's look at each ingredient one by one and see how when
cooked together they each play an important role in making Kitchari healthy
and delicious. So let's start with a question we get asked a lot, why white
rice? The trend in modern dieting labeling is that white rice is less
nutritious than other varieties such as brown, red or black-
and while this is factually true there's still one big reason why white rice is
the best choice for Kitchari. It's the easiest to digest. This digestibility
gives your body a break so it doesn't have to work so hard to break down food
and can actually use that energy elsewhere. Essentially this break in
action allows your body to use the spare energy to repair damage. That being said
there are instances when a grain alternative might be right for you. If
you need something a little more grounding try brown rice which is harder
and more dense than white. If you need something a little drier amaranth or
millet would be good for you. If you think you need something more cooling
oats or barley would be perfect. You could also try quinoa which is a
wonderful alternative to rice and really delicious in Kitchari and that's what's
so wonderful about Kitchari is it's so customizable. Split mung or mung dal are
also really easy to digest. Whole mung beans are green and oblong and mung
dhal are half the size because they're split. The hard to digest green husk is
removed exposing the tender yellow inside. When beans are split they're
called dal. Mung dal also has an astringent or dry quality to it which
makes it especially cleansing for the body.
This astringency naturally pulls and removes toxins from the intestinal
lining. This pulling action is gentle compared to the harsh or abrasive action
of raw and cold foods especially raw vegetables.
This makes mung dal an ideal choice when doing a cleanse.
Not to mention mung dal also has enough fiber to help move these toxins through
the GI tract and out of the body: fifteen grams per serving! The
combination of rice and mung dal provides all of the amino acids needed
to create a complete protein. When eaten on their own each of these foods is
missing an essential amino acid that our body isn't capable of producing on its
own. But when eaten together they make magic happen. The protein content of
Kitchari supports stable blood sugar levels so that we can maintain energy
and mental clarity in a healthy balance. and if you're not totally sold on mung
dal and if your digestive strength is up for it,
popular alternatives are brown or red lentils or even whole green mung beans.
The spices in Kitchari are delicious, yes, but they're actually intended to give
your digestion even more of a boost. Spices like ginger, cumin, coriander,
fennel, and even salt Stoke the digestive fire in a supportive way. Pre blended
spice mixes are convenient and a delicious option. Try ours! And of course
we couldn't forget about the ghee, it's the main traditional topping and another
aid for a balanced digestive fire. It helps soothe and coat the intestinal
lining and it's just plain tasty! For a vegan option try substituting your
favorite oil. It's common to add veggies or toppings to your bowl of Kitchari you
can do this to bulk up the meal, add flavor, or create a variety of textures.
Try a squeeze of lime juice or a dash of soy sauce. You could even try avocado
slices, toasted sesame seeds, nutritional yeast or even a dollop of yogurt.
For a more cooling bowl, try adding some coconut flakes or a dash of cilantro.
Find out what you really love and try new ideas! The possibilities are endless.
By now you're getting the idea that Kitchari was designed to support
digestive health and by extension your body and mind as well. It shouldn't come
as any surprise then that Kitchari is the ideal cleansing food. A simple cleanse
that gives your digestive system a rest can be done by taking a mono diet of
primarily just Kitchari for a few days. Because Kitchari is warm, nourishing and
nutritious, it could be the most appropriate choice for doing a cleanse,
as opposed to a juice cleanse which can be slightly more taxing on your
digestive system or simply too cold for some people to handle. And unlike fasting
or juice cleanses Kitchari is substantial enough to fuel you through your
day-to-day activities. If you're choosing Kitchari for cleansing just be sure to use
a recipe that is easiest for your body to digest like white basmati rice or
quinoa with moong dhal. This will leave you feeling lighter and more energised
during and after your cleanse. Kitchari may be a staple food in Ayurveda
but it can be modified and reimagined endlessly. For a quick and easy dinner
try making yours in an instant pot or for a change in texture try cooking the
mung dal and rice separately and mixing them in your bowl. Add any variation of
seasonal veggies or your favorite veggies. You can add them to the cooking
pot or roast them in the oven and add them to your dish before serving. So
anyway you do it Kitchari is healthy, cleansing and incredibly delicious.
Not sure how to make it? Click this link for our recipe. So dig in and enjoy
knowing all the benefits Kitchari brings!