Kitchari: What Is It and Why Use It?

Kitchari is a traditional Ayurvedic dish that has been enjoyed in India for centuries.

It is a delicious stew of aged basmati rice and husked, split mung beans used in South Asian cuisine as a nourishing comfort food. It not only provides nourishment to the body, but also promotes balance and rejuvenation.

Kitchari is the most easily digestible food and a staple recipe in Ayurvedic medicine. It has a cleansing effect by gently removing toxins out of the body and has long been used as a part of cleansing. More specifically, the astringent quality inherent to the split mung beans is known to clear congestion in the lungs and bowels. Kitchari is a warming food with spices that can loosen toxic build up in the mucus membranes of the gut, lungs and sinuses. According to Ayurveda, Kitchari can help you reset the body’s metabolic fire known as “agni”.

This recipe can be used as part of a cleanse or a weekend reset to restore harmony within the mind, body and spirit. It can also be used just as a healthy meal – breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Kitchari

A centuries old Ayurvedic recipe for wellbeing in mind, body and spirit.

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Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

• 7 cups water can add up to 10 if you like it more soupy
• 1 cup mung beans yellow, split (NOT whole mung dal beans)
• ½ cup basmati rice white
• 1 tbsp ginger fresh
• 1 tsp black mustard seeds
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp coriander powder
• ½ tsp fenugreek seeds
• ⅛ tsp asafoetida optional but REALLY important for gas relief
• 3 cloves
• 3 bay leaves
• ½ tsp salt Redmond Real Salt, Celtic Sea Sat, Himalayan Pink Salt
• ¼ cup cilantro leaves chopped

Instructions

 

• Give the split yellow mung beans and rice a good rinse under running water until it runs clear.
• In a large pot over medium heat, add all spices except the bay leaves and dry roast for a couple minutes to enhance the flavor.
• Add the rinsed rice and beans and stir.
• Finally add the water and bay leaves.
• Bring to a boil uncovered and let it boil for 10 minutes.
• Set the heat to low, pop on a cover and continue to cook until beans and rice are soft, about 30-40 minutes. 
• Garnish with cilantro leaves just before serving.  
• Add salt to taste.

Notes

The spices for this recipe can be found here – Pure Indian Foods

The ingredients for this recipe may be bought separately, or you can get a simple to cook version here – Quick Kitchari

And add Organic Kitchari Spice Mix – Kitchari Spice Mix

This recipe was provided to us by Dr. Ginger Nash, ND, a well known Naturopathic doctor in Connecticut, educator, and close colleague and mentor of Dr. Krail-Javer, DNP. We credit her for the ability to pass on this incredible information and healing food to our patients.

Keyword Ayurvedic, gluten free, vegan