The Extraordinary Ordinary Khichdi - Sept 20 2022

Khichdi is Ayurveda’s quintessential recipe. A mild tridoshic detoxifying and rejuvenating food, it balances all three Doshas and therefore is an all-time wholesome meal for all Prakrutis. Easily digestible, it is a perfect meal for all who want to give their digestive systems a rest or are ailing and recuperating.
Known as “The Mishmash” in the West, this dish is a heart and belly fire warming gruel/porridge-like dish with softened rice, veggies, and daal. You can have it as soupy or thick as you like. The soupier it is, the easier and lighter it is on the tummy.
Please Note: The Khichdi thickens quite a bit as it cools!
Served piping hot in a Kansa bowl and plate Here’s why.

RECIPE - KHICHDI

INGREDIENTS

• 1/3 cup Yellow Moong Daal (washed)

• 1/3 cup Rice
  Handpounded or Regular Sona Masoori. Basmati will do too. The more brown or tough the rice, the longer it will take to cook. Be mindful as brown is healthier but also tougher to digest and assimilate.

• Choice of Veg - Gourds preferred. But any vegetable or Greens will do. Ideally do not pick tough to digest gassy foods such as Cauliflower and Potatoes.

• 2-3 Tbsps Ghee (Or Coconut or Olive Oil if Vegan)
  Want to make Ghee at home? It is easy!
  Watch - How to make A2 Milk Cultured Butter and Ghee from scratch.
  Butter to Ghee process begins at 7:40

• 1 -1 1/2 tsp large heaped tsp Whole Cumin Seeds

• 3/4 inch Ginger (Peeled and Grated)

• 1/2 tsp Turmeric

• 1/2 tsp Fresh Pepper powder (adjust to taste)

• 1/4 tsp Heeng (Asafoetida)

• Boiling Water ( 2 to 3 times the amount of Rice and Moong used.)
  
  
  METHOD

  Wash, strain Rice and Moong together and keep it aside.
  If you have time let the above keep for 15 mins.
  Chop chosen Vegs into bite size pieces.
  
  On medium flame, heat Ghee.
  Add Cumin. Once it starts spluttering, add grated Ginger, Turmeric, and Pepper powder in order.
  Give a toss for less than half a minute. Add Heeng.
  Add Rice and Moong mix immediately
  (Do not allow the spices to burn.)
  Roast the mix together for 2 -3 minutes or till it fragrantly comes together.
  The above mix does not need to brown.
  Add boiling water and salt to taste.
  Pressure cook for 10-12 minutes in Instapot.
  Do not release steam or open till the pressure drops.
  In a traditional Pressure cooker, cook for 3 whistles at least.
  
  Serve hot with a dollop of fresh Ghee on top.
  Accompany with fire-roasted Papad, and Pickle.
  If it’s a daytime meal you may eat this with Plain Yogurt.
  
  WATCH THE FULL LIVE CLASS VIDEO HERE.

  CLASS NOTES

  • Beginning with grace - BRAHMARPANAM
    An offering of, to, as, and through the only incomprehensible divine Consciousness/ Brahma.
    Every meal from cooking to eating begins by centering with this prayer. A sacred reminder that there is no separate “me” that “doing” anything. There IS the only ONE that plays.
    
    ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविर्ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम् |
    ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना || 24||
    Brahmārpañam Brahma Havir BrahmāgnauBrahmañāhutaṃ,
    Brahmaiva Tena Gantavyam BrahmakarmāSamādhinah.
    - The Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 4 verse 24

    I AM/Brahma/Divine Cosmic Consciousness is ALL there IS. I AM the food. I AM the process of this doing/cooking and the sacred offering that is digested by the holy fire. Divine Karma - I AM the only action that IS and serves.
    Listen here - https://youtu.be/CJNKVFySa_A
    

  • Doshas. Prakriti and Vikriti. All manifested consciousness/life IS a dance/experience of elemental energy.
    Air. Water. Fire. Space/Ether. Earth. The ever-changing mix of these elements creates unique experiences that is nature.
    Ayurveda categorizes the dance of elements that manifests as any body-mind as Doshas.
    The five elements can combine in innumerable different proportions to form different bodies/constitutions.
    Any constitution is determined by which of the three doshas are predominant and is the outcome of conditions that prevail at the time of conception and during the gestation period.
    The constitution of an individual generally remains the same throughout one’s lifetime and plays an important role in determining his physical appearance, nature, and behavior patterns.

  • Ayurveda recognizes how nothing is ever the same. Manifested Consciousness/Life is change.
    And this change is not a partial change as the physical senses may perceive. Every change is a total and complete change.

  • See, Touch, smell, taste….Manifested Consciousness/Love is a full-bodied sensory experience/celebration!

  • We don’t live in nature. We are not a part of/belong to nature. I AM/We ARE nature.

  • FALL is activated VATA Season - Like the Wind…I blow cool, I am quick in movement. Flighty. Dry by nature.
    Vata is naturally high at this time as it is a “time of change”.
    Nature calls itself inwards, letting go of what has been. Shedding so she may be birth anew.
    It is the very reason why aligning with her flow can be very beneficial at this time. More in Sacred Cleanse.
    Calming, soothing, detoxifying, and nourishing are the main themes of Vata season.

  • CUMIN/JEERA - In Sanskrit, Jeera literally translates to “easily digestible”.
    Feel free to pop a few in your mouth to taste them! Where do you feel its dominant taste on your tongue?
    Not all Cumin is the same. And how to balance its “pitta activating” nature. Watch class video.

  • Curcumin - the power ingredient in Turmeric and the way to cook Turmeric for the best release and assimilation of Curcumin compounds.

  • Why never EVER store your Heeng this way.

  • Piperine in Pepper aids in the absorption of all the goodness of Turmeric.

  • Why my grandmother did not prescribe living by concepts (Ayurveda or otherwise) in life. (Not that I listened! Ha. And I now wholeheartedly agree with her.)

  • The versatility of the humble Khichdi. Love/Prep me any way you like! ;)

  • RASA/Tastes -
    Cumin - Pungent
    Turmeric - Pungent-Bitter-Astringent
    Black Pepper - Pungent
    Heeng/Asafoetida - Pungent
    

  • Want to try and make that simple and yummy oil-less home made Indian Mango/Veg pickle you see on the plate at home? Recipe coming up soon!
    

  • WHAT IS MY PRAKRITI? - An easy self-calculated Prakriti assessment chart is on your main page.

  • This is the PERFECT time to begin an intuitive SACRED CLEANSE!
    Starting (in any) NOW. Let’s do this together? I’d love your company.
    More here.

  • Last but not least, if you attended a class and/or have tried this, please do leave a quick comment below. I’d love to hear how the experience was for you. All your suggestions and feedback is warmly welcome!
    Thank you.
    
    To playing together!
    Much love.