Ayurveda, an ancient system promoting holistic health, places a strong emphasis on the significance of a balanced and nourishing diet to foster physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The philosophy views food as medicine, harnessing the power of the right ingredients to restore equilibrium and enhance vitality. Here, we present two Ayurvedic recipes that are not only easy to prepare but also delicious and rich in nutrients, aiming to support your journey to optimal health and overall well-being. 

The Easy 2: Kitchari & Haldi (Golden) Milk 

1. Kitchari: A classic Ayurvedic dish, Kitchari is a complete meal renowned for its cleansing and detoxifying properties. Here’s a simple recipe:

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup basmati rice or brown rice (you can keep equal proportions of rice and dal, if you like) 
• 1/2 cup yellow split mung beans 
• 1 tablespoon ghee  
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds 
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric 
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 
• 1/2 teaspoon ground red chilli (optional) 
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 4 cups water 
• 2 cups chopped vegetables (beans, peas, carrots, zucchini, spinach or veggies of your choice) 

Instructions: 

1. Rinse rice and mung beans, soak for 30 minutes (we do it for minimum 4 hours). 
2. Heat ghee, add cumin and mustard seeds until they pop. 
3. Add spices, stir, then add drained rice, beans, water, and vegetables. 
4. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30-40 minutes until porridge-like consistency or alternatively cook in a pressure cooker for 2 whistles and then simmer and let it cool before opening the lid. 

Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon juice if desired. 

2. Golden Milk: Known for its anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties, Golden Milk is a popular Ayurvedic beverage.

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy-almond milk tastes yummy!) 
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric 
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 
• 1 teaspoon stevia/jaggery (optional) 

Instructions: 

1. Heat milk until steaming. 
2. Add turmeric, cinnamon, and black pepper, whisk to combine. 
3. Continue heating until fully combined and hot. 
4. Remove from heat, add sweetener if desired, and enjoy.