Kitchari Recipe to Cleanse Gut

August 31, 2021 Lance Honeghan

The short answer: Kitchari is a traditional one-pot Ayurvedic dish of basmati rice and mung dal (or golden lentils) cooked with vegetables and warming spices such as turmeric, cumin and ginger. It is gentle on digestion and balances all three doshas. Pair it with our detox drink.

Popular for its gut-healing benefits, Kitchari is a traditional ayurvedic recipe that helps restore balance to the gut. Kitchari, which means ‘mixture’ in Ayurvedic literature, combines basmati rice, mung dal, and other nourishing vegetables and aromatic spices to create a dish that is gentle on digestion yet balances the three doshas. Aside from the gorgeous aroma, this Kitchari recipe is easy to follow. You only need one pot and can use the time whilst cooking as a way to unwind before tucking into this deliciously cleanse dish. You don't need a commercial kitchen installation in your home to whip it up. Follow this cleansing Kitchari recipe for 4 to reap all the gut-healing benefits.

Ingredients:

1 cup of white basmati rice or short grain brown rice
250g of golden lentils or split mung beans
2 teaspoons of fennel seeds
3 tablespoons of ghee or coconut oil
2 teaspoons of turmeric
1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin (or grated cumin)
2 teaspoons of ground ginger (or grated ginger)
2 teaspoons of brown mustard seeds
1 teaspoon of ground coriander (or chopped)
2 teaspoons of fenugreek seeds
2 teaspoons of cumin seeds
2-3 cloves of crushed garlic
1 teaspoon of black pepper
1 teaspoon of sea salt
1/2 an onion, chopped
250g of broccoli, chopped
4 handfuls of spinach, chopped
130g of courgette, chopped
950 ml of water or vegetable stock
2 bay leaves
Greek yogurt and fresh coriander, for garnish

Method

Rinse rice and lentils (or mung beans) in a colander until the water runs clear.
Melt the ghee or coconut oil in a large pan over a medium heat. Sauté the ginger for 30 seconds and then add the other spices and simmer for another 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Add the rice, lentils (or mung beans), and vegetables to the pot and stir until they are coated in the mix. Add salt and pepper and then pour in water or vegetable stock. Bring the mix to a boil and then simmer on a lower heat for 30-45 minutes, occasionally stirring. Leave to cook until the mixture becomes soft but not mushy. (Add water if the mixture begins to stick to the bottom of the pan or becomes dry).
Serve the Kitchari cleanse into bowls and garnish with fresh coriander and Greek yogurt, if desired. Enjoy!

Looking for a further gut cleanse? Our delicious Kitchari recipe goes perfectly with our Detox Drink. Give it a go for an uplifting minty-fresh sensation.