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The Healthy Chef Teresa Cutter’s Classic Auyrvedic Recipe: Kitchari

Kitchari is a classic Auyrvedic dish that is used to restore digestive health and wellbeing. Teresa Cutter from The Healthy Chef shares her recipe below.

BENEFITS
Wellbeing
Detox
Healthy Digestion

Serves 4 – 6

Kitchari Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or ghee
  • 1 onion, finely diced
  • 1 carrot, finely diced
  • 1 stick celery, finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh grated turmeric (½ teaspoon dry)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 125 g (½ cup/4 oz) moong dhal, soaked overnight, drained
  • 125 g (½ cup/4 oz) wholemeal basmati rice
  • 2 L (8 cups/67½ fl oz) freshly boiled water
  • sea salt to taste
  • 2 generous tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes (optional but delicious)
  • 60 ml (¼ cup/2 fl oz) coconut milk
  • 2 spoonfulls green sauce (see inspiration section)

Method

  1. SAUTE onion, carrot, celery, turmeric ginger and garlic with the olive oil for 1 minute over a medium heat. Add the cumin, dhal, rice and water and stir through. Add a pinch of salt.
  2. SIMMER for 1 hour over a low heat, partially covered, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add more water if required, the consistency should be a thin porridge.
  3. STIR THROUGH coconut milk and nutritional yeast and more salt if needed. Divide between serving bowls and enjoy.
Kitchari
Kitchari

INSPIRATION
To make green sauce, blend 1 bunch parsley, 1 bunch coriander, the juice from ½ lime, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, 1 clove garlic and 125 ml (½ cup/4 fl oz) olive oil. Serve a spoonful over kitchari with a dollop of coconut yoghurt or milk.

BENEFITS
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Plant Based

If you liked this Kitchari recipe, find more delicious creations here.

Teresa Cutter

Teresa is a classically trained chef, nutritionist, accredited fitness trainer and award-winning cookbook author. As the founding director of The Healthy Chef, a company dedicated to improving individuals' health, Teresa specialises in designing nutritional supplements, such as marine collagen, proteins, superfoods, magnesium, functional beverages and healthy cookbooks.