Winter… and Pumpkin and Spinach Curry Recipe

Winter…and my Pumpkin and Spinach Curry Recipe

One of my loves is cooking…and another is to share that cooking with others.

On the weekend we had a full cooking class focussing on Winter and how we as human beings interact with what is happening in nature.

When the seasons change, we much change.  As the season changes, so does the delicate balance of our individual constitution. By making slight changes to our daily habits and diet we can help to restore balance.

If we don’t adapt to change, we lose our inner balance – in Winter this leaves us prone to lead to colds, flu, chest infections and joint pain.

Winter tends to be cold, dry and/or wet – these are how our bodies are going to respond.  We may get dry, cracking skin and joints, a bit of constipation, cold hands & feet and maybe a tendency towards lethargy and sadness.

Therefore, in general, you’ll want to focus on eating warm, cooked, slightly oily & well spiced foods. Drink warming drinks to help increase heat and circulation.

Use a tongue scraper every morning in Winter and also gift yourself a daily warm, Black Sesame Oil massage and better yet receive a warm-oil, full-body Abhyanga massage.

Winter is also the season we need to supplement ourselves – this does not mean in pill form. Two teaspoons of Chyavanprash every morning will increase energy, immunity and inner strength through the chilly season.

In other words during this season, nurture yourself and allow yourself to hibernate, even a little bit so that you will be stronger for the rest of the year.

The principle of Ayurvedic treatment lies in a deep understanding of the individuals body, the symptoms, how the symptoms have grown over a period of time, how is the individuals digestive power – metabolization & elimination functions, sleep, diet pattern, mental strength etc.  all looked at as an individual.  If you need some personal support that will give you a better understanding where you are at, please give me a ring.

I have a number of clients that I treat throughout Australia and overseas.  If you are curious about your personal constitution and the new normal you are presenting, feel free to contact me for an online consultation: 07 5455 5050 or email info@yourlifeinbalance.com.au

Be warm,
Heidi

Now, below is my recipe for warming Pumpkin & Spinach Curry:

pumpkin & spinach curry

In winter, this is one of my favourite curries, it’s like giving myself a hug on the inside when I eat it! With all of the Winter spices, it will not only warm you up & digest well, but keep you juicy during this time of year when the body dries out. 

for the curry: serves 4

• 3 tbls ghee
• 1 tsp black mustard seed
• 1 ½ tsp cumin seeds
• ½ tsp Asafoetida gum or powder
• 1 ½ tablespoons Garam Masala
• 1 tsp powdered cinnamon (I use cinnamon bark instead of powder)
• 2 tsp turmeric
• 1 tablespoon good curry powder (Baba’s is my favourite)
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• ** ½ tsp Cayenne pepper powder (optional spicy spice)
• 1 cup or 1 can of coconut milk (make sure nothing else is added- only coconut)
• A dash of salt & pepper to taste
• 1 large brown onion chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped ginger
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 medium size ripe & juicy roma tomatoes, chopped
• 3 cups chopped pumpkin
• 2 cups fresh spinach or silverbeet, chopped up small

method:

1. heat ghee in skillet until smoking
2. Add black mustard seed, wait 1 min, then add cumin seed
3. Fry until seeds release oil and smell very fragrant
4. Then add onion and ginger and fry stirring occasionally until onion is transparent
5. Now add spices: garam masala, Asofoetida, cumin powder, curry powder, turmeric, cinnamon, salt&pepper, & fry for 1 minute
6. Add tomato, garlic & coconut & cook down (add some water if it starts to stick)
7. Once tomatoes are “jam-like” add pumpkin, cover and cook for 15 mins
8. Then add spinach & a little more water, place lid over skillet and cook for 10 mins.

 And now serve with basmati rice or chapatti