Published on August 31st, 2019 | by Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp.

Simple Ayurvedic Recipes

Crunchy Chickpeas Pitta and Kapha pacifying

While Ayurveda does nor promote snacking, sometimes we just need a little something to peck on now and then. Crunchy garbanzo beans (chickpeas) make a satisfying and supremely healthy choice for Pitta and Kapha. As witnessed by the many packaged chickpea snacks now commonly seen in stores, chickpeas are popular, so make this snack for a quarter of the price. Customize the flavors to satisfy a personal dosha, and palate, by getting creative with the spices.

Yields: 5 cup servings

2 cups precooked chickpeas or 2, 8-oz cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 tsp sea salt for Pitta or Himalayan salt for Kapha
½ tsp smoked paprika or ½ tsp ground cumin or ½ tsp garam masala powder (optional)
1 Tbsp sunflower or safflower oil (optional for crunchiness; no oil for Kapha)

Spread the rinsed chickpeas on a baking sheet to dry, about 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 450° F. In a mixing bowl, add the chickpeas; salt; paprika, cumin or garam masala (if using); and the oil (if using). Toss well to coat and spread on a baking sheet in a single layer.

Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.

Remove from the oven, and use a spatula to turn the chickpeas over.

Place back in the oven and roast for an additional 10 minutes or until the chickpeas are slightly browned. Roast a little longer, if desired, for crunchier chickpeas.

Store the crunchy chickpeas in an airtight container. Do not refrigerate. These are great to sprinkle on salads and rice dishes. Don’t make more than can be eaten in three days.

To cook dry chickpeas, soak overnight, drain and place into a large soup pot. Cover with water, at least double the amount of beans.

Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for at least 30 to 45 minutes.

Check on the beans during cooking. When they are soft, they are done.

Recipe courtesy of Ayurveda Beginner’s Guide: Essential Ayurvedic Principles and Practices to Balance and Heal Naturally, by Susan Weis-Bohlen.

Golden Milk Vata, Pitta and Kapha pacifying

Golden milk is an age-old recipe that nourishes the body on many levels. Turmeric helps reduce inflammation, ghee distributes the healing properties throughout the body and tryptophan in the milk will encourage sleep. It is calmative, restorative and delicious. Make this a vegan drink by substituting milk and ghee with almond oil and a dairy alternative such as almond milk, hemp milk or coconut milk made without zinc oxide.

Yields: 1 serving

6 to 8 oz whole-fat goat’s milk for Kapha and Pitta or cow’s milk for Vata
½ tsp ghee
½ tsp turmeric powder
½ tsp ginger powder
1 pinch ground black pepper
1 pinch ground cinnamon
1 pinch ground nutmeg (to promote sleep)
1 small piece jaggery [sugar] (optional)

Add all the ingredients to a small pot. Over medium-high heat, bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for a minute or two.

Pour into a mug and drink before bed. To enjoy this drink during the day, leave out the nutmeg.

Tip: If experiencing constipation, adding more ghee to the milk will help.

Recipe courtesy of Ayurveda Beginner’s Guide: Essential Ayurvedic Principles and Practices to Balance and Heal Naturally, by Susan Weis-Bohlen.