A simple infusion of crushed green cardamom pods, gently simmered in water with optional fresh ginger, used in Ayurveda to ease mild nausea and after-meal queasiness.
A traditional Karnataka cooling side dish made by blending cucumber, fresh coconut, cumin, and a touch of green chili into a smooth paste, then mixing with curd and finishing with a hot ghee tempering. Light, mild, and meant to be served over steamed rice.
A warm decoction made from whole cloves, used as a gentle mouth rinse to ease mouth ulcers and mild tooth twinges. Traditional Ayurvedic household preparation.
A traditional Tamil buttermilk curry made with ash gourd simmered in a spiced yogurt and coconut gravy, finished with a coconut oil tempering of mustard seeds, curry leaves, and dried red chilies.
Eight to ten black raisins soaked overnight in warm water and eaten first thing in the morning, with the soak water, to ease mild, occasional constipation and morning sluggishness.
Soft, fluffy steamed cylinders of finger millet flour layered with fresh grated coconut. A traditional Kerala breakfast that comes together in about 30 minutes and pairs beautifully with ripe banana and jaggery, or with kadala curry for a savory meal.
A simple Ayurvedic tea of equal parts cumin, coriander, and fennel seeds steeped in hot water. Sipped warm through the day to ease bloating, after-meal gas, and a heavy post-meal feeling.
A traditional Tamil summer cooler made by simmering dried nannari (Indian sarsaparilla) root into a ruby-pink syrup, then mixing the syrup with lemon and chilled water. Mildly sweet, herbal, and famously cooling.
A simple overnight cold soak of fenugreek seeds in water yields a soothing morning drink traditionally used in Ayurveda to ease mild heartburn and after-meal acidity.
A traditional Kerala ripe mango curry where peeled mangoes simmer in a coconut paste and tangy yogurt gravy, finished with a fragrant coconut oil tempering of mustard seeds, fenugreek, and curry leaves.
A warming evening drink of whole milk briefly simmered with turmeric, black pepper, ghee, and a whisper of cardamom and cinnamon. Soothes the throat during mild colds and supports restful sleep.
A rich, dense, no-cook Indian mango ice cream made with ripe mangoes, condensed milk, cream, cardamom, and saffron. Frozen in molds for that classic kulfi texture.
A cooling, sweet-sour-salty Indian summer drink made from pressure-cooked raw green mangoes blended with roasted cumin, black salt, cardamom, and fresh mint, then diluted with chilled water and served over ice.
A traditional Andhra-style dal where raw green mango is pressure cooked with toor dal and finished with a fragrant ghee tempering. Tangy, garlicky, and deeply comforting over hot steamed rice.
A one ingredient morning Ayurvedic practice for fresher breath and cleaner gums: swish a tablespoon of plain sesame oil through the teeth for several minutes, then spit, rinse, and brush as usual.
A tangy, lightly spiced rice dish from Karnataka where grated raw green mango is folded into rice with a fragrant tempering of mustard seeds, lentils, peanuts, and curry leaves.
A cooling, savory South Indian summer drink made by simmering finger millet flour into a smooth porridge, then thinning it with spiced buttermilk and a classic mustard and curry leaf tempering.
Soft, smooth balls of cooked finger millet flour, the daily comfort meal of rural Karnataka, served hot with a soupy lentil saaru, sambar, or spicy curry.
A buttery, spongy-centered, crisp-edged Karnataka-style dosa made from a fermented batter of rice, urad dal, and puffed rice, cooked generously with white butter on a hot tawa.