The sattvic way of eating
One might assume that if you’re in an ashram, you’d be be getting the same bland, vegetarian dishes day in, day out. The ashram I stayed at however, offered a variety of different meals full of aromatic spices and fresh vegetables which I’ve since tried to replicate at home.
As I’ve mentioned before, the ashram followed what is called a sattvic diet. Sattvic food is vegetarian and always freshly cooked. The food is light, yet filling and nourishing. Sattvic food is also said to promote good health, tranquility and mental clarity.
The ashram, following sattvic guidelines, was able to turn some not very exciting ingredients into a deliciously satisfying and flavoursome dish. I think a lot of it comes down to the spices used.
The ashram used this basic spice mix which really can be used for any dish. The spice mix consisted of—
1 tsp Mustard seeds
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
Around 15 curry leaves
1 tsp of fresh ground ginger
½ tsp Turmeric
½ tsp cumin seed powder
½ tsp dry coriander
¼ tsp asofoetida
The great thing here is flexibility. Don’t like too much of asofoetida? Cut back on it. Want more ginger? Add it!
The spices are then added one at a time to a pot and left to fry in hot oil for 10 – 30 seconds each.
This spice mix can be used when preparing two of my favourite rice dishes from the ashram – poha (flattened rice) and murmara (puffed rice).
Both kinds of rice can be found in your local Indian Grocery store. They can also be both prepared in the same, simple way. The rice just needs to be soaked for five minutes in water and then drained. That’s it! Then add the rice to the spice mix, throw in some chopped vegetables and serve hot.
I tried a variation with puffed rice on the weekend. I used green pepper, chickpeas, boiled potato and fresh coriander. You can keep it simple or mix it up with a range of fresh vegetables and pulses. Other typical ingredients the ashram used included tomato, cucumber, carrot, cabbage, moong sprouts and some peanuts.
Of course, you don’t have to follow sattvic guidelines and can add any ingredients based on your own tastes. However, the sattvic way of eating is known to clear and balance the mind and body, so why not give it a go and see how you feel, even if it is just for one meal?
