Ayurvedic Gut Reset Recipe: Warming Khichdi (Lentils)

With the new year here, it is the perfect time to bring in new healthy habits. Every year we all set out a new list of resolutions, some realistic, some not quite so much! But we are here to bring you some simple, easy to implement changes to help with those resolutions.

An Ayurvedic reset is a great way to boost your wellbeing, improve your mood, and kickstart the new year as your best self. Many don’t realise how much the food we eat can impact our lifestyle, energy levels & mood, fuelling our bodies with superfoods is a key step towards helping improve all of those and leave you feeling more rejuvenated.  

Ayurvedic diets focus on eating whole, fresh, seasonal produce. Ensuring there is a balance of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts & proteins through each meal, along with a varied flavour profile of sweet, salty & spiced. It teaches you to be conscious of what you are consuming, being wary of consuming highly processed food and listening to your body's cues on hunger. A diet with all these points in mind can help to promote mindfulness, alongside minimising distractions during meal time. Being present whilst eating has a range of benefits, from being able to truly enjoy your food to aiding in digestion and reducing over-eating. Maintaining a full Ayurvedic diet as a newcomer can be a tricky thing, instead it is easier to initially begin incorporating a few dishes and rather practising the traits of an Ayurvedic diet like above. 

Khichdi is a staple dish across all of India, with the way it is prepared varying across different regions. But across all variations carries the same key ingredients, these ingredients are what build a superfood rich, healthy, fuelling dish. A classic Ayurvedic dish prepared for centuries, perfect for babies being introduced to food, adults who want a warm comforting meal or even the perfect cold/flu hearty meal. The beautiful mix of moong daal, rice, spices and ghee, is an inexpensive & highly nutritious dish. It contains:

Moong daal which is thought to be a key superfood in Ayurveda, helping to balance disturbance in the body by naturally detoxifying the whole system. 

Ghee (clarified butter) which helps in digestion and enhances ojas (life energy). It is said to be healing and balances the body. 

Hing, more commonly known as asafoetida, a powerful spice used to clear up stagnation, bloating, and toxins in the body (which is one of the main reasons why many Indians insist on eating Khichdi when ill). 

Turmeric is another powerful spice, with anti-inflammatory properties, rich in antioxidants and an endless list of health benefits. 

As you can see this list of ingredients truly helps to ignite your stomach's digestive fire and aids in gut health too. Follow this super quick and simple recipe to reset your gut and benefit from this delicious, simple recipe:

Ingredients: 

Ghee (clarified butter) 

¾ teaspoon cumin seeds

1 bay leaf 

1 pinch of hing

½ cup of Rice 

½ cup of Moong Daal

1 small onion finely chopped 

1 medium tomato 

1 teaspoon grated ginger 

¼ teaspoon turmeric

½ teaspoon salt 

¼ teaspoon chili powder

1 ½ cup mixed vegetables (carrots, potatoes, peas, beans) 

Method: 

1. Rinse the daal and rice until water runs clear, then soak in fresh water for 30 mins. 

2. Heat a pressure cooker with 1 ½ tablespoons of ghee (you can use an oil substitute if you are vegan or dairy free).

3. Once the ghee has melted, keep the flame on low, and add in the cumin and bay leaf. Saute for 30 - 40 seconds then add in a pinch of hing. 

4. Then add the ginger & onion and saute well. 

5. Add the tomato and remaining spices and continue to saute until the tomatoes soften. Now add your mixed vegetables and saute for an additional 3 minutes. 

6. Drain the rice and dall, then add it into the pressure cooker. Fill the pot with 3 ½ cups of water and mix well. 

7. Cover the pressure cooker, keep it on a medium flame and cook for 3 whistles. 

8. Once done and the pressure has been released, stir well and add a teaspoon of ghee. 

Serve plain, or with yoghurt or pickle and enjoy!! 

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