Recipes

1) Chaas (Buttermilk)

Ayurveda’s Healthy Drink Recipe

 

Chaas

Chaas, a refreshing drink, is basically a diluted, salted yogurt drink. In India, it’s more popularly known as buttermilk. Thick curd or yogurt is beaten and diluted with water to the ratio of 1:2, 1:4 or 1:6 (as per need / disease) (for this consult Ayurveda Doctor) i.e. for 1 cup of curd, you need to add 2 or 4 or 6 cups of water. This plain chaas recipe is only flavored with salt and/or black salt. Basic buttermilk recipe can be flavored with coriander, ginger juice, green chili, asafetida, black salt, black pepper and roasted cumin powder. Most home cooks have their own favorite flavors of buttermilk based on the region.

 

Yogurt or curd is the main key player of buttermilk recipe. It is usually served along with lunch especially during the hot summer months. This salted yogurt drink has many health benefits which include cooling the body and good digestion.

 

Chaas Recipe

Ingredients

  • Curd – 1 cup, thick and beaten smooth
  • Water – 6 cups
  • Salt – 1/2 tsp
  • Black salt – 3/4 tsp
  • Coriander leaves – 2 tsp (finely chopped)

Method

  1. In a bowl, beat the thick curd with a wooden churner or hand blender. Add water and mix well.
  2. Add black salt and salt and mix well. Pour into tall glasses, garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve.

Tips

  • If you do not have black salt on hand, omit it.
  • You can garnish with fresh mint leaves also.

– Dr. Anand Kulkarni

2) Khichari (An Excellent Ayurvedic Diet)

In Ayurveda, the ancient wisdom of India dating back 5,000 years, this mix of rice and mung dal is considered extremely easy to digest and is said to purify the digestive system and cleanse the body of toxins. It is very delicious and tasty diet for patients and person whose digestion is weak.

Ingredients-

1 cup Basmati Rice

1 cup Mung Dal (split yellow)

6 cups (approx.)Water

1/2 to 1 inch chopped Ginger Root

1/4 tsp. Salt

2 tsp. Ghee/butter

1/2 tsp. Coriander Powder

1/2 tsp. Cumin Powder

1/2 tsp. Whole Cumin Seeds

1/2 tsp. Mustard Seeds

1/2 tsp. Turmeric Powder

1 pinch  Asafoetida (Hing)

1 handful coriander leaves(chopped)

Procedure-

  • Wash the rice and mung dal twice, using plenty of water. Add the 6 cups of water to the rice and dal and cook covered until it becomes soft, about 20 minutes. Then add the other spices. Stir together to release the flavors. Add butter or ghee and season with salt. You can add the vegetables to the cooked rice- dal mixture and cook 10 minutes longer.

We can use Khichari  when  recuperating from an illness or any great physical stress, like childbirth, surgery, or extensive travel.

It is an excellent antidote to dietary excesses, such as we’re prone to do around the holidays or major family get-togethers.

It can be helpful and calming when we’re under emotional stress.

–  Dr Amruta Kulkarni