Kitchari: The Ayurvedic Detox Bowl
The classic Ayurvedic mono-diet for cleansing and resetting digestion. Gentle, nourishing, and tridoshic — good for everyone.
Ingredients
- •½ cup basmati rice, rinsed
- •½ cup split yellow mung beans (moong dal), rinsed
- •6 cups water
- •2 tbsp ghee
- •1 tsp cumin seeds
- •1 tsp mustard seeds
- •1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- •½ tsp turmeric powder
- •Pinch of asafoetida (hing) — skip if you don't have it
- •1 tsp coriander powder
- •1 carrot, diced
- •1 cup chopped spinach or greens
- •Sea salt to taste
- •Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
Rinse the rice and mung beans together until the water runs clear. Soak for 30 minutes if you have time (helps digestion).
In a large pot, heat ghee over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and mustard seeds — cook until they start to pop (about 30 seconds).
Add grated ginger, turmeric, asafoetida, and coriander. Stir for 15 seconds until fragrant.
Add the rinsed rice and mung beans. Stir to coat with the spiced ghee.
Add 6 cups of water and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the diced carrot and cook for another 10 minutes.
Stir in the spinach and cook until wilted (about 2 minutes).
Season with salt to taste. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
Serve warm. For a detox, eat this for all meals for 3-7 days.
Kitchari (also spelled khichdi) is the ultimate Ayurvedic comfort food. It's a simple combination of basmati rice and mung beans, cooked with digestive spices until soft and soupy. In Ayurvedic detox programs (panchakarma), this is the only food you eat — and somehow, you never get tired of it. It's that satisfying.