Trish and I always choose kitchari for the finale dinner on our Vibrate At Your Highest Frequency Retreats on crown chakra day, as it is deemed a perfect ‘clean’ and high vibrational meal.

This is possibly one of the most healing and comforting foods on the planet.  Perfect to be eating right now in these uncertain times and particularly when we need to boost and take care of our immune systems.

In India it is given to the sick and elderly and even young babies! It is the traditional cleansing / detox food of Ayurveda due to its nourishing and easily digestible base ingredients.

Taste wise it’s rather like a delicious and fragrant soupy risotto. It has a base of mung beans and whole grain brown rice (better still you can use organic red rice) along with finely chopped veggies and anti-inflammatory powerhouses: fresh turmeric, ginger, garlic and plenty of beautiful Indian spices.

I also love using warming sweet spices like cinnamon and fennel as they are the sleepier yet dominant spices and fantastic for digestion. With a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime, it adds a citrus pop and elevates the dish even further. This is a perfect cleansing, warming, grounding and deeply soul-satisfying meal and after your second spiritual spoonful you will be instantly hooked – the absolute epitomy of soul medicine!

Tess’s Recipe Tips

It is recommended that you pre-soak the mung beans in water overnight to make them even more digestible. It is also important that you chop all the veg into tiny tiny pieces – treat this exercise as kitchen meditation! This recipe is absolutely delicious served with my yogi Waldorf Salad – see Optional Extras recipe. Otherwise, serve with a minted yogurt and lemon wedges.

Ingredients (serves 4)

200g mung beans (soaked overnight if possible)

75g organic red rice (or long grain brown rice)

2 bay leaves

2 tablespoons coconut oil

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

3 cloves garlic

1 onion very finely chopped

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon fennel seeds

1 teaspoon asafoetida (if you can get it)

1 teaspoon ground turmeric (or fresh root if you can get it)

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 – 1.5 litre good quality organic vegetable stock (hot from kettle)

1 small crown broccoli finely chopped into an almost rice-like texture

1 carrot diced super small

1 celery stick cut super small

Red pepper diced super small

Big handful fresh coriander leaves (use the stalks when you add the veggies)

1 cinnamon stick

Optional garnish of hemp seed and nigella seeds

Method

1. Rinse the mung beans and rice in a sieve under cold water until the water runs clear.

2. Meanwhile in a large saucepan over medium heat, add the coconut oil until it heats up, and then add the onion and cook until transparent but not browned.

3. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for a further minute. Add all the dry spices: cumin, coriander, fennel seeds, asafoetida and turmeric. Cook for another minute until delicious and fragrant.

4. Add the rice and mung beans with the cinamon stick and bay leaves and stir to coat in the spices. Pour over the vegetable stock. Next add all the chopped vegetables and the fresh coriander stalks.

5.  Bring to a quick boil, cover then simmer gently for approx. 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally until most of liquid has been absorbed but it is still like a wet risotto.

6. Stir in chopped fresh corinader and serve with lemon and nigella seeds if you have (it’s lovely with soy sauce and chilli flakes for added spice).

Bon Provecho!

Love Tess x