The force Vata is a union of air and space. These element’s physical characteristics are cold, dry and light. Foods that are cold/dry/light taken in excess by a Vata pre-dominant person will cause their Vata dosha to become aggravated. Therefore to stay in balance it is good to have a regular helping of foods that are warm/moist/heavy. Here are some recipes, click on the tab to see the recipe:
(Editor’s note: Daals are like a hearty soup, suitable for Vata year round. Increase Ginger and/or Asafoetida if excess gas is experienced. Feel free to add small blanched peanuts or small quantities of vegetables as Daal begins to boil (examples are cut snow peas, green beans or peas).
Simple yet delicious daal(Legume). Indian cuisine has tens of varieties of daals (legumes or beans). And since they are grown in all parts of the country, there could be perhaps a hundred different combinations of recipes for daals.
2 cups any small-seeded daal (example Moong beans)
1.25 inch cube ginger, finely cut
2 sliced green chilies
½ teaspoon Turmeric powder
1 teaspoon whole Cumin seeds
½ teaspoon Asafoetida powder
4 table spoons oil
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon sugar
¼ cup unsalted, non-fried peanuts
1.Check that the daal does not have any stones. Wash in running water and set aside.
2.Put oil in a deep pan and fry Cumin, green chilies and Asafoetida in oil till the seeds crack
3.Put the rest of the ingredients and daal in this pan, just cover with water, tightly cover pan and boil till daal is totally cooked. Feel free to add boiling water to bring the daal to a consistency of choice. Serve.
Big beaned daals will take a longer time to cook, and also big beaned daals need more spices for them to be tasty. Consider using a pressure cooker. In a pressure cooker, keep heat on maximum till first pressure. Then reduce heat to a minimum, and exactly two minutes later, take off heat, and open when cooled down. Longer times for larger seeded daals. Increase or reduce amount of water, depending on how you like the final dish. Remember, for a daal to be properly cooked, it has to be slightly overcooked – the seeds should all be one and not be singularly discernable, and yet it should not all be a “paste”.
An offering from the Heart – a Deepak Singh recipe. www.SpiritualJourneys.net
Preparation time: 10 minutes plus overnight soak
Serves 2
Benefits: Helps sound sleep and overall body hydration. Can also help soothe Vata-aggravated gas or bloating.
2 cups raw almonds
2 cups water
6 strands saffron
1 Tbs. cardamom
1 Tbs. raw honey or maple syrup (optional)
(Editor’s Note: Feel free to substitute ready made almond milk from the grocery store, if that is easier.)
Soak almonds overnight in water or use raw almonds in a pinch. Whenever possible for Vata, remove almond skins if soaked.Place almonds in blender with 2 cups fresh water.
Blend until smooth, adding more water for a thinner consistency. Strain through a cheesecloth and set aside the almond “meal” that is leftover*. Place milk in a saucepan over low heat and simmer with saffron & cardamom. Add sweetener if desired.
A delicious aphrodisiac, this sweet, warm and restorative “tea” is especially appropriate after intimacy to replenish ojas, vital reproductive & bodily fluids. Leftover Almond meal can be set aside for a future dessert treat.Add 1 Tbs. honey, ½ tsp each; cinnamon, nutmeg & cardamom to every ½ Cup of Almond Meal and enjoy.
You can also use it to make raw pie crusts that are delicious and nutritious throughout warm summer months. Combine almond meal with agave syrup and spices to taste, then press into pie pans.
1 can (400 gr, 14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 can (850 gr) sweetened mango pulp. Prefer “Alphonso” mangoes
1 pinch saffron
1 to 2 tablespoons regular (whole) milk
1.Put the mango pulp and condensed milk in a blender.
2.Heat the 1-2 tablespoons of milk in a small pan till it starts to boil.
3.Grind the saffron in the palm of your hand and sprinkle it in the boiling milk. Stir and pour in the blender.
4.Blend the mixture, and pour into serving dishes.
5.Store in freezer, and serve after 3-4 hours as it freezes, but has not totally solidified. Alternatively, freeze solid and microwave to a “slushy” consistency prior to serving.
A heavy but delicious dessert. Normally cooked by boiling off the milk and using the creamy milk.
