TRANSITIONING SOUP

January is typically the month that transitions us from Winter to the beginning phases of Spring. In Ayurveda, Kapha time, which is mainly Spring time, possessing qualities of cold and heavy predominate the atmosphere and to counter this it is important to include in the diet foods and beverages that are warming, lightening and stimulating. Here's a simple soup recipe to help with that. Enjoy and Bon Appetite!

INGREDIENTS:

1 onion diced

4 garlic cloves peeled and diced (optional)

1/2 inch piece of ginger diced

3 carrots cut into pieces (big or small)

2 cups of spinach

1 handful of cilantro or parsley (for the non-cilantro lovers)

1 tbs. of ghee or coconut oil. (Or, at the end you can pour a teaspoon into each bowl of olive oil)

1 tsp. of black pepper

1 tsp. of sea salt (or more/less based on taste)

1/2 tsp. of cayenne

2 tsp. of Turmeric

1 tbs. of cumin seeds

1 tbs. of mustard seeds

2 celery stalks cut into pieces

1 cup of basmati rice or quinoa or couscous or barley (more for kapha)

PREPARATION:

In a large pot, fill with water and the above ingredients. Bring all the spices and vegetables to a general boil. Then, cover and low simmer for a half hour. Add the grain and allow it to cook in the broth.

Optional: for non-vegetarians  you can add some chicken to the soup. As an Italian, I sometimes put a pastina (baby pasta) instead of the rice. But that just caters to the kid in me still. 

HOLIDAY CHAI PECANS

This is a simple Ayurvedic treat for the holiday's. You can bag them as stocking stuffers or simply stuff your own tummy with delight.

INGREDIENTS:

Egg white from one egg 

1/4 cup of maple syrup

1 tbs. of ghee

1 tsp. of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, clove powder and ginger powder

1 pinch of sea salt or Himalayan rock salt or even kosher salt

3 cups of raw pecans (other nuts such as almond, cashew and walnuts can be used instead)

PREPARATION:

Soak the nuts over night or at least 4-6 hours in filtered water to increase digestibility and decrease the dry qualities of nuts that can strain digestion

Preheat oven to 250/275 degrees.

Mix the liquids in a small bowl and beat thoroughly.

In a separate bowl add the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Then combine both the wet and dry ingredients.

Place the nuts on a cookie sheet.

Bake for approximately 1 hour.

Use a spatula to remove from the cookie sheet.

Let them cool and then store. Enjoy!

ACORN SQUASH TREAT

INGREDIENTS:

1 Acorn squash

1 tbs. of ghee or coconut oil

1/4 cup of pecans or walnuts

1 cup of cooked basmati rice

1/4 tsp. of cumin powder

2 tbs. of raisins

pinch of salt

1/4 onion diced

1/4 tsp. of ginger powder

1/4 cup of cilantro, basil or parsley

PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees

Cut the squash in half and gut out the seeds.

Prepare a pie dish or baking dish with 1/2 inch of water.

In a small pan warm ghee and then mix all the ingredients, minus the rice, acorn and cilantro etc., sauteing for around 5 minutes on a medium flame.

Separately, bring 1 cup of rice with 2 cups of water with a pinch of salt to a boil. Lower the flame and cover. Cook for 20 minutes.

Take these ingredients, mix them all together in a small bowl and add them to the halves of the squash. Place the acorn squash into the baking dish and cover with aluminum foil.

Bake for 35-45 minutes at 375 degrees.

Test the acorn squash with a fork and when the squash appears soft. Turn the oven off and remove from racks. Let sit for 5 minutes. Garnish  with the cilantro etc. and serve.

Enjoy!

SWEET POTATO PANCAKES/WAFFLES

As we enter into Vata Season (cold and dry time of year) we naturally do what the animals do in that they begin to store food. For us as humans, though we may go into semi-hibernation, we go inward and store food in the form of High Fat and Protein to insulate us from the cold. This recipe helps to give us adequate nutrition in alignment with the season. This recipe is best for Vata and Pitta types. Kapha may increase in more Kapha. 

Ingredients:

8 oz. of sweet potato (either freshly boiled or out of an organic can)

1 tbs. of baking powder

pinch of salt

1 cup of almond milk

1 cup of spelt flour

1 tbs. of pecans or other nuts

1/2 cup of ghee

1 tbs. of raw sugar (optional)

3 eggs

1/4 cup of maple syrup

Preparation:

Mix dry ingredients together and wet ingredients together. Then combine both. 

Heat a  a grill/pancake pan, then add a teaspoon of butter or ghee.

Take a ladle worth of batter and add it to the  pan. When you see a significant amount of bubbles forming that's when it is time to flip the pancake.

Cook until golden brown.

Remove.

Add pecans or other nuts.

Apply maple syrup and serve.

Enjoy!

Note: you can also use this recipe to  make pumpkin pancakes/waffles. Simply switch out the sweet potato  with pumpkin. Just as good. 

APPLE CIDER AND DATE SHAKE

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup of apple cider

7 dates

1 tsp. of ghee or coconut oil

cinnamon stick or 1/8 of tsp. of cinnamon powder

1/8 tsp. of cardamom

squeeze of lime (optional)

PREPARATION

In a medium sauce pan and on medium heat add cider, dates, spices, and oil. Simmer for 10-15 minutes. Then add to a blender on high for 1-2 minutes. After, squeeze the lime. Add cinnamon stick to beverage to a mug and enjoy.

Simple, warm and sweet. This recipe is in honor of the transitioning from summer to fall. Apples are anti-inflammatory and building to the tissues. Dates also strengthen immunity. Spices support digestion. Oil supports lubrication and strengthening of the whole body.

WRAP OR QUESADILLA?

INGREDIENTS:

1-2 leaves of kale cut into small pieces

1 tsp. of cumin seeds

1 tbs. of ghee or coconut oil

1 tsp. of mustard seeds

1/4 cup of diced onions

pinch of salt

pinch of pepper

1/2 red or bell pepper diced

1/4 cup of water

1/4 cup of goat cheese (or other optional cheese)

2 tortilla (wheat/quinoa/corn)

2  large frying pans

PREPARATION:

In a large pan add ghee and have the flame on medium. Add the spices, except pepper and salt and allow to pop. Then add vegetables and saute for 3-4 minutes. Add the water and cover for 10 minutes or until the water mostly evaporates. Turn off the pan. Add the salt, pepper and goat cheese to the pan. Stir thoroughly, then add this to the one tortilla and cover with the second tortilla.  This will make a type of quesidilla. Now, take this and add it to the second pan and warm on one side, then the other. Turn off the burner and remove. You can cut it into four pieces.

Note: If you wanted to make it a simple wrap you could just use one tortilla. Also,  you could cut some avocado to make it a heartier dish. Other veggies too. This is just a simple recipe to satisfy a meal requirement that is light, dinner for example. If you're a meat eater, you can also saute whatever desired protein. You could also add beans.

QUINOA PASTA AND GREENS

Cooling, filling, simple and yummy!

Ingredients:

1 bunch of broccoli rabe (optional: kale instead)

3-4 tbs. of parmesan cheese

1 tbs. of red pepper flakes

1 lb. of quinoa ziti or other quinoa pasta

1/2 tsp. of salt

4 tbs. of olive oil

1 head of broccoli cut into pieces

1 shredded carrot

1/4 cup of diced up basil leaves

3/4-1 cup of water

1/2 onion diced

3-4 garlic cloves crushed or diced

Optional: 1/2-1 cup of red kidney beans can be added as well

Preparation:

In a medium sauce pan boil water. Add pasta and simmer for 8-10 minutes depending on desired consistency. While simmering, in a large skillet/frying pan add 3/4-1 cup of water. Then add the above vegetables, garlic and onions and salt. Low simmer for 15-20 minutes until most of the water has evaporated. Strain pasta and mix  both the pasta and veggies.  Finally add the pepper flakes and parmesan cheese.  Drizzle olive oil. Let sit for 5-7 minutes and serve.

Note: I've had fun with this recipe by also making a pesto sauce.

ORANGE-HIBISCUS-ADE

Ingredients:

1/4 cup of dried hibiscus flowers

1 orange squeezed

1/4 cup of dried rose petals

Add agave or raw sugar as sweetener per taste.

1 tsp. of cardamom powder

Preparation:

In a medium saucepan fill the pot with water up to one inch. Add the above ingredients except for the orange and the sweetener. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. Strain. Add the squeezed orange and then add sweetener. Stir and let cool. Serve and enjoy!

Note: If the above mixture seems too strong in taste you can add more water to dilute it and make it a lighter beverage. This beverage is cooling and stabilizes the blood by reducing the heat and supporting the liver. 

SIMPLE LIVER CLEANSE

INGREDIENTS:

1 BEET

4 CARROTS

1/2 Lime or Lemon

1/2 - 1 tsp. of Turmeric

1 tsp. of Aloe Gel

2 oz. of cilantro juice or wheatgrass juice (optional: 1 tbs. of chlorophyll liquid)

PREPARATION:

Juice the beet, carrots, lime and cilantro/wheatgrass. After juicing, combine the other ingredients well. Drink and enjoy.

Note: For the cilantro juice, take a handful of cilantro and blender it with 1/4 cup of filtered water. You can strain this and save the liquid for the above juice or you can keep the pulp. If you choose to separate the pulp you can add this to a dish your cooking with or to a smoothie or apply it to the skin for a cooling/detox effect.

Cleansing Beet for Glee

Ingredients:

1 beet

1 kale leaf

1" ginger piece

1/4 cup of cilantro juice

4 carrots

2-4 celery stalks

1 apple

pinch of cinnamon powder

pinch of cardamom powder

pinch of cumin powder

Preparation:

Separately take one handful of fresh cilantro and add it to blender with 1/4 cup of water. Blender this for a couple minutes. Strain the liquid and save the juice. You can use the pulp in other dishes not to waste it.

In a juicer add the remaining ingredients, saving the spices for last. Juice those  ingredients and then combine the cilantro juice. Then you can add the spices and stir well.

Enjoy this drink as a breakfast replacement.

Curried Barley

Ingredients:

4 ½ cups of water

2 cups of barley

1 tsp. of rock salt

1- 1 1/2 tsp. of curry powder

¼ cup of pumpkin or sunflower seeds

¼ cup of cilantro or parsley

1 tsp. of ghee or coconut oil

Preparation:

In a medium saucepan bring water to a boil. Add barley. Add spices, cilantro/parsley and oil. Stir, cover and simmer for about 40 minutes until barley is soft. Garnish with seeds. Serve and enjoy!

Ayurvedic Gold Milk

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Version 1 (This is the more traditional version)

Recipe: 1 cup of whole organic/raw cows milk. 1 tsp. of turmeric, 1/8 tsp. of cardamom powder, 1/8 tsp. of nutmeg, 1/2 tsp. of ghee. Simmer for 15 minutes. Add to mug and then add 1 tsp. of raw honey. Drink and enjoy!

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Version 2 (next variation of the recipe)

Recipe: 1 cup of whole organic/raw cows milk. 1 tsp. of turmeric, 1/8 tsp. of cardamom powder, 1/8 tsp. of nutmeg, 1/2 tsp. of ghee, 10-15 raw almonds, 1-2 quarter size slices of raw ginger. Simmer for 15 minutes. Add to mug and then add 1 tsp. of raw honey. Drink and enjoy! 

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Version 3 (the other variation of the recipe)

 Recipe: 1 cup of whole organic/raw cows milk. 1 tsp. of turmeric, 1/8 tsp. of cardamom powder, 1/8 tsp. of nutmeg, 1/2 tsp. of ghee, 10-15 raw almonds, 1-2 quarter size slices of raw ginger, pinch of saffron, and even tonic herbs such as 1 tsp. of Ashwagandha and 1 tsp. of Shatavari Powder. Simmer for 15 minutes. Add to mug and then add 1 tsp. of raw honey. Drink and enjoy!

Note that the last image depicts the blended version of the recipe. The blender transforms the heavy (guru) quality of milk by adding air and making it light (lagu). You don't have to blender it and can just enjoy chewing on the almonds and the ginger pieces.

Considerations

This beverage should be drank warm and can be either taken in the morning or at night before bed. It can be an afternoon treat in place of tea or coffee. In the first version, this is the more basic and traditional version of the recipe according to my teachings. As the recipe progresses it becomes more of a tonic. The last two versions of the recipe can be considered a "warm smoothie" based on consistency, especially if you blender it.

This is not meant to treat any specific ailment and is meant as a general tonic, especially with the progressing variations. All the herbs, ghee, almonds and other ingredients have medicinal qualities and serve multiple purposes which you can email me about for specifics. Importantly, Ayurveda shows us that there is NO one size fits all and even though these recipes can be amazing and generally harmless it can be the case that for some individuals this may not "go down smoothly."  A practitioner of Ayurveda can best decide best, through constitutional considerations, if you have concerns.

One brief comment on milk that I would like to elaborate on is that many people may have sensitivities to it, ranging from animal rights to simple food allergies. I only advocate for milk, based on quality and an individuals digestive abilities, mentally and physically. It is generally based on a case by case basis. Historically, Milk is a key ingredient in all of India, where this recipe was given birth to. Milk, when it is raw and slightly homogenized is beneficial for the digestive system and nervous system, if an individual is able to digest it mentally and physically. For those who wish to substitute the milk with something like almond, coconut, hemp or even soy milk, they can. They can still benefit from the drink. What milk provides specifically is the fatty content, the protein content and within this combination we have Tryptophan that becomes metabolized into Serotonin and eventually Melatonin and this supports a calming effect on the nervous system, that no other milk does. If the heaviness of milk is an issue, then simply add equal proportion of filtered water to the recipe and watch how easy it goes down. Of course, if you're substituting milk with the other options, then water isn't needed.

Please let me know what you thing of the recipe by commenting and/or contacting me. I love sharing the wisdom of Ayurveda! Happy Health!

JUMPING BEETS RECIPE

As a side dish or light breakfast, this recipe is in alignment with the season and supports the digestive and lymphatic drainage. Beets are a powerful component to this recipe because they support blood sugar. They are red and move lymph, thin bile, regulate stool, digests good fats and remove bad fats.

Ingredients:

1 Beet shredded

1 carrot shredded

1/2 lime squeezed

pinch of cayenne

pinch of cumin

1/2 tsp. of shredded ginger

pinch of salt

2 tbs. of coconut oil

1/2 tsp. of mustard seeds

1/2 cup of water

1/4 cup of cut up cilantro

Preparation:

In medium frying pan add the coconut oil and spices. Warm for one minute (you'll notice the air infusing with the aromas of the spices) Add all the ingredients except for the lime juice, and cilantro, saute in the coconut oil for about 1-3 minutes. Add the water and cover. Cook for about 10 minutes, until most of the water has evaporated. Turn the burner off and add the squeeze of lime. Garnish with cilantro and enjoy!

(For more recipes feel free to attend my upcoming cooking class and stay tuned for other classes in the near future) Om Shanti!

CLEANSING KALE RECIPE

Ingredients:

1 kale bunch, cut into smaller pieces

1 tps. of mustard seeds

1 leek (optional: ½ onion) sliced into small pieces

½ tsp. of cumin powder

1 tsp. of finely chopped ginger

½ lime squeezed

1/8 tsp. of sea salt

1 tbs. of coconut oil

½ cup of water

Pinch of cayenne

1 tbs. of pumpin seeds

Preparation:

Heat a large sauce pan as you add oil and spices. Next add leek slices and seeds. Mix thoroughly and when spices begin to pop add the kale and thoroughly stir. Add water, cover and simmer on low for 7-10 minutes. Turn off the burner and squeeze the lime juice. Serve.