Late Summer Cooling Kitchari

Well, summer, you just won’t quit! With So Cal temps climbing into the triple digits this weekend, & no a/c in my apartment, I’ve had to work hard to keep calm, cool, & collected. All I really want to do is hit the beach. Growing up with the beach nearby, I’m ashamed to admit that I often take it for granted. I can be waterside in 15 minutes or less, yet I’ve only been to the beach 2 times this summer.

Thank goodness for the principles of Ayurveda to help guide me through this heat wave. During the long hot days of summer, the body can begin to accumulate “PITTA” (the dosha that governs the summer) which if left unchecked can spark aggression, irritation, inflammation & more, eventually leading to exhaustion. And that is nothing to be joyous about. So how can we maintain balance? With foods, drinks & practices that are cooling & calming to the body. Anytime I begin to feel myself becoming imbalanced I make a big pot of kitchari.

Even though standing over the stove in a hot summer kitchen sounds counter-intuitive, I promise you the end result is worth it! It is one of the most nourishing, healing, & cleansing meals you could make. The wonderful thing about kitchari is that it can be adapted to the seasons. The base is always the same oil, split mung dal, & basmati rice, but the herbs, spices & added vegetables can be adapted. To stay balanced in the summer, we should be eating foods that are cooling & anti-inflammatory, with tastes that are astringent, sweet, & bitter. In this recipe, the Mung beans are astringent; basmati rice, coconut oil, carrots, & sweet peas are sweet; & the dried herbs are bitter. I also used coconut oil instead of ghee, to keep it vegan but also more “cooling & calming.” As wonderfully nourishing as ghee can be, it is considered more “warming” & is best suited for autumn/winter.

LATE SUMMER COOLING KITCHARI Author: Melissa, Honey Bee Vegan Cuisine: Vegan, Ayurvedic Serves: 6

INGREDIENTS

• 3 Tbsp coconut oil

• ½ tsp coriander powder

• 1 tsp each dried basil, dill, mint, & turmeric

• ½ cup split mung dal

• 1 cup brown basmati rice

• 6 cups of vegetable stock

• ½ cup fresh shelled peas

• 1 cup zucchini, chopped

• 1 carrot, finely shredded

• Basil/cilantro pesto & shredded coconut for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Rinse mung dal and basmati rice until the liquid is clear. Set aside.

2. In a large stock pot or dutch oven, melt the coconut oil, add spices and herbed and spices and saute over medium-low heat until it browns about 1-2 minutes.

3. Add drained mung beans & rice & stir well to coat with the oil & spices.

4. Stir in vegetable broth, bring to a boil, cover & cook on low for 25 minutes. Then add vegetables and cook for an additional 15 minutes, or until the beans, rice, and vegetables are tender.

5. Top with a bit of pesto, shredded coconut, cilantro, & coconut aminos.

I had some fresh herbs on hand & thought that a vibrant pesto would be lovely atop this kitchari. I used pumpkin seeds instead of nuts, as they are more Pitta friendly. This step is optional, but highly recommended for extra flavor!

CILANTRO-BASIL PESTO Yields: 1 cup

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup loosely packed basil

• 1 cup loosely packed cilantro

• ⅓ cup raw pepitas

• 2 cloves garlic

• 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

• ½ tsp sea salt

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place all ingredients except the olive oil in a food processor & pulse to combine.

2. With the food processor running slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Blend until smooth.

Go whip up a batch of this cooling kitchari, pour yourself a glass of rose-fennel iced tea, or an aloe vera mocktail & rejoice. Some other wonderful cooling practices -- sitali breathing to cool & calm the nervous system, a restorative yoga sequence with lots of forward folds, & practicing a daily loving-kindness meditation which is the perfect summer to help reduce aggressive pitta, & increase joy & warm-heartedness. And of course, jumping into the ocean! With these practices, you’ll be feeling cool, calm & collected in no time. How do you find joy & stay balanced in the summer months?