Cinnamon buckwheat porridge
As we enter colder, wetter and earthy times of the year it is a good time to enjoy more kapha balancing foods.
Try a buckwheat porridge instead of oats which are more commonly used. Buckwheat or kuttu (if buying at an Indian / Sri Lankan shop) is naturally gluten free, and is a good source of fibre. It helps to dry and warm up the heavy and wet qualities of kapha dosha. It also has a diuretic quality which helps to remove excess water from the body - helpful if there is water retention and sluggishness. Use in moderation if you feel heaty pitta or dry erratic vata predominant in your system - try balancing with ghee for vata or cooking in coconut milk for pitta.
Try a porridge of buckwheat or millet with stewed or dried fruit, a sprinkling of cinnamon, pepitas and pumpkin seeds. Let us know if you try - and please share your recipe ideas :)
Ingredients:
1 cup buckwheat or millet
1 1⁄2 cups water
1⁄2 cup soy or almond milk
1⁄4 tsp each of powdered cinnamon, nutmeg Pinch of salt
Handful of raisins and seeds (sunflower, pepitas)
Stewed fruit (e.g. apples, berries) – pre prepared
Honey, to taste
Method:
Place buckwheat or millet, spices in a saucepan with the water and bring to the boil.
Add the milk, raisins, seeds and allow to cook for a further 5 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed
Add in stewed fruit and warm through
Remove from heat, drizzle in honey. Enjoy!