We share this memory from Nara Narayan dasa, of Srila Prabhupada’s extraordinary cooking abilities. Also at bottom of post a nice recipe for Kitchari or as it is also referred to as Kitri.
Nara Narayan : Once, in the Los Angeles La Cienega temple, on the occasion of his spiritual master’s appearance day, Srila Prabhupada cooked a pot of kitchari. He said that kitchari was his spiritual master’s favorite dish.
Prabhupada cooked it using polished urad dahl, and it had a creamy consistency. There were thirty of us at that celebration, and there were many other dishes besides kitchari.
Since it was a holiday, everyone was in a jolly mood, talking and chatting, and we all got a dab of Prabhupada’s kitchari on our plates. By this time the kitchari was cold, and Prabhupada had already gone to his quarters. We popped the kitchari into our mouths, and all of sudden the conversation died out everywhere.
As soon as that prasadam touched our tongues we fell silent. We sat there in dead silence tasting grain after grain of it until it was all gone. Then we searched for stray grains on our plates. Then everybody began crawling towards the pot in the middle of the room where there was still a little bit left.
We were taking little pieces out of the pot. No one spoke a word until there was nothing left. Then we all went back and sat down in silence. Something about that prasadam was charged with what must have been Gopi-bhava. There was ecstasy involved in that prasadam. We were struck by it. Every exquisite feeling that Prabhupada had for his spiritual master was present, and we had a chance to experience that; we realized that Prabhupada had given us an extra special benediction he had allowed us to open the door a little and peek into what his world was like.
Reference: Memories Anecdotes of a Modern Day Saint – Volume 1 by Siddhanta Dasa
Plain Kitchari
Prepared with love and devotion, kitchari is a perfect offering to Krishna and a beloved dish among devotees.
Hare Krishna Plain Kitchari is a comforting and flavorful dish, inspired by the principles of bhakti yoga. This rich kitchari combines wholesome ingredients, creating a harmonious blend that enhances any meal. In the tradition of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, cooking and offering food to Krishna is an act of love and devotion, known as bhakti. Each dish is prepared with care, mindfulness, and a pure heart, making it not just a meal but a spiritual offering.
- Author: Chandra-Vadana Chaitanya das
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Main Course, Breakfast
- Method: Simmer
- Cuisine: Indian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1/2 cup yellow split mung beans (moong dal)
- 4 cups water
- 1 tablespoon ghee or oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 inch piece of fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
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Instructions
- Rinse the Grains: Rinse the rice and mung beans under running water until the water runs clear.
- Heat the Ghee: In a large pot, heat the ghee or oil over medium heat.
- Add Spices: Add the cumin seeds, mustard seeds, and grated ginger. Sauté for a minute until fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the rinsed rice and mung beans to the pot, along with the turmeric powder, salt, and water. Stir well.
- Cook the Kitchari: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes or until the grains are cooked and the mixture has thickened.
- Serve: Offer to Krishna and serve hot with a dollop of ghee on top.
Notes
- Adjust Consistency: If you prefer a thicker kitchari, reduce the amount of water. For a more soupy consistency, add extra water as needed.
- Flavor Enhancements: Add a handful of chopped spinach or other vegetables for added nutrition and flavor.
- Serving Tip: Serve kitchari with a side of fresh lime or lemon wedges to brighten the flavors.
- Leftovers: Kitchari can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Hare Krishna Maha Mantra
Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.
Text pasted from: Hare Krishna Recipes
The Hare Krishna Movement 