Ayurvedic cooking should be simple, fresh and delicious. It also doesn’t have to take up hours of your time. This gorgeous little recipe literally takes no longer than 20 minutes to prepare, cook and have on the table. Mixed vegetables is an Ayurvedic staple – highly nutritious, super tasty and sits lightly in the gut. I’ve also added a cooling greens garnish to aid our bodies through the hotter days.
The cucumber, bitter melon and coriander garnish combination quickly pacifies the hot Pitta dosha throughout the body but particularly in the stomach and overall gastrointestinal tract, liver and blood. As the recipe calls for seasonal vegetables, general digestive herbs and an option of grains, it really can be suited to anyone’s body type and health needs.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
Serves 2
2-4 cups of chopped seasonal vegetables that are as fresh as possible and suited to your body type and health needs
A good spoonful of ghee or you can also sauté in some coconut oil or water if desired
1/2 – 1 teaspoon of coriander powder, turmeric powder and cumin seeds
A 1-2 cm piece of fresh ginger
A good pinch of pink Himalayan rock salt and black pepper
A handful of fresh coriander
A fresh cucumber and bitter melon
Some cooked grains to serve with the meal – ideal choices would be basmati rice, vermicelli rice noodles, mung beans or red rice
METHOD
1. Take the coriander leaves and dice finely.
2. Add half the cucumber and dice finely, doing the same with the bitter melon. However, do be wary, the bitter melon is an acquired taste and is exactly what it says it is – super bitter. Best to start with a quarter of the vegetable and build from there. You can purchase them at Asian grocers and good farmers markets.
3. Mix the greens together with your hands in a small bowl and set aside.
4. Now put your grains on and cooking.
5. Get a large saucepan or frying pan and put on medium heat. Add the ghee, oil or a dash of water.
6.. Once the plate is warm, add the vegetables and stir for 1-2 minutes until the vegetables are beginning to soften.
7. Add the spices and the salt and pepper.
8. Stir in gently for 1-2 minutes until the spices become fragrant.
9. With a small hand grater, grate the fresh ginger into the vegetable mix. Stir in gently.
10. Turn the stove onto low and stir the vegetables intermittently for 5 or so until vegetables have been cooked well.
11. Take off the heat and serve. In a bowl place your chosen grains, the mixed vegetables and garnish well with the cooling greens.
DISCLAIMER
The sole purpose of these articles is to provide information about the science of Ayurveda. If you have an acute or chronic health concern, please consult your chosen trained health care professional who can fully assess your needs and address them effectively. If you are seeking the medical advice of a qualified Ayurvedic Practitioner, contact The Sattva Centre directly - info@thesattvacentre.com