Healing Ayurvedic Recipes to Try at Home
The healing properties of Ayurveda are what has made this ancient food philosophy an essential part of our food culture through the ages… Remember your mother feeding you a ‘kadha’ when you would fall sick, and how said potion helped nurse you back to health? That is the power of this Science of Life! Thus, I decided to share three Healing Ayurvedic Recipes integrated with ayurvedic properties, for an edit that is high on nostalgia and wholesome goodness!
Now, think again before you leap to the conclusion that ayurvedic recipes are just another diet fad. Not only can the recipes featured help boost your overall wellbeing in the longer term, but they’re also all about aligning the energies of your body. Without further ado, here are my mood and immunity-boosting recipes prepared using fresh and flavourful, seasonal and local ingredients. Let me know how you like them!
Authentic Masala Chai | Masala Tea
After westernization, to date, there is this eternal war of “which is better, chai or coffee?” and I can say proudly, Indians prefer their hot cup of chai {to everything else} early in the morning, to get their day started on the right note. While we all have our own way of preparing chai and prefer different spices to go into our masala chai version, I can assure you that while incorporating ayurvedic properties, my version is high on healthy goodness, and that ~ you will love it!
Ingredients:
- Cinnamon ~ 1 whole stick
- Cardamom ~ 6 green pods
- Black Peppercorns ~ 1 tsp, whole
- Cloves ~ 4 whole
- Ginger ~ 12 gm {grated or sliced}
- Black Tea ~ 20 gm loose leaf or 4 tea bags
- Water ~ 600 ml
- Milk {of choice} ~ 500 ml
- Sweetener {of choice} to taste
Preparation:
- Prepare a paste using cinnamon, cardamom, whole peppers, and cloves.
- Bring water to a boil in a saucepan. Add to it the paste along with grated/sliced ginger.
- Simmer for about 10-15 minutes on medium flame. This is where the flavours come through.
- Add the tea and the milk of your choice, and let simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Switch off the heat, cover and let the decoction steep for an additional 5 minutes. You will come to learn that the longer it simmers the stronger is the tea.
- Now, strain through a sieve, add the sweetener you prefer as there is no wrong way of having chai, and enjoy!
Spicy Tulsi Chai | Indian Basil Tea
As mentioned earlier, Ayurveda is said to enhance immunity and help us live a longer and improved life. Ayurvedic herbs and spices are also an important component of this approach. The Holy Basil {most of us probably call it tulsi} is one such adaptogenic herb, which has many uses we have heard about over the years. In addition to its religious significance, the use of tulsi in our tea or snacks helps in boosting defence against disease and also improving our energy levels. Read on for a simple and delicious way to incorporate this wonder herb into your wellness routine!
Ingredients:
- Water ~ 5 cups
- Ginger Root ~ One, approximately the size of your palm {peeled & chopped into large chunks}
- Green Cardamom Pods ~ 1 tbsp
- Star Anise ~ 3-4th whole
- Cloves ~ 1/2 tbsp, whole
- Allspice ~ 1/2 tbsp, whole
- Black Peppercorns ~ 1/2 tbsp, whole
- Cinnamon ~ 5 sticks
- Indian Tulsi {Holy Basil} ~ 1/3rd cup, dried
Preparation:
- In a saucepan, add water and ginger root and set it aside.
- The remaining spices now have to be gently crushed using mortar and pestle to have them release their oils.
- Add the crushed whole spices to the saucepan containing water and ginger root.
- Bring the water to a boil, and then remove it from the heat.
- Add the dried Tulsi to the decoction; set aside for thirty minutes and then strain through a sieve.
- This spicy chai decoction can be stored in the refrigerator for up to ten days.
- To make a cup of chai, simply combine the concentrate with a 1:1 ratio of either water or your choice of milk {whatever works for you ~ no hard or fast rules}. Then serve either hot or iced depending on your preference.
No-Bake Chai Energy Balls
We all have a radiant aura that surrounds us, which the followers of Ayurveda call ‘Ojas’ or Life Force. It is said that the brighter the Ojas, the healthier and happier is our body. Ayurvedic herbs and spices like tulsi, ashwagandha, ginger and much more help in bringing our aura to the fore. The ancient health care tradition practised in India also believes that these herbs & spices help in increasing vitality and strength, and our generations of homemade food recipes and ‘kadhas’ are its proof. I personally incorporate these herbs & spices in various healing ayurvedic recipes which are not just good for our health but are also delicious! May I recommend these aromatic Chai Energy Balls, which are a perfect mix of sweet, savoury, and crunchy ~ especially if you’re in need of an Ojas boost!
Ingredients:
- Almonds ~ 1/2 cup {peeled & soaked}
- Dates ~ 4 {finely chopped}
- Ginger ~ 2 tbsp {grated, or chopped}
- Chia Seeds ~ 2 tbsp
- Tahini ~ 4 tbsp {toasted sesame seed paste will work as well}
- Chai Masala Powder ~ 1/2 tsp
- Sesame Seeds ~ 2 tbsp {lightly toasted }
- Honey to taste
Preparation:
- Put all the ingredients into your processor {except for the toasted sesame seeds} and blend at high speed until the mixture attains a semi-solid consistency.
- Once the mixture is removed from the blender, use your hands to press and shape the mixture into balls. Then run them over the sesame seeds, and enjoy!
- Tip: You may also add cacao for that chocolatey goodness, or ground coconut for a tropical flavour. Nothing ground-breaking, but a new-to-me combination that works really nicely.
For me, if I can’t enjoy a hot cup of chai, some snacks and one nice book, my evening is considered incomplete! Now that’s comfort people… And, oh yes ~ put your feet up too! And, of course, if you do make these healing ayurvedic recipes, share your creations with me, I’d love to see.