First and foremost this is a cookbook – albeit with a difference! – so feel free to flick through the host of breakfast, lunch, supper and snack ideas inspired by my travels. You will begin to feel the vibe of Ayurvedic philosophies through the ingredients, terminology and recipe introductions that tell the story of the recipes and how they came about. Or you can start at the beginning.
My mission with East by West is to introduce the way of Ayurveda and impart a deeper understanding of its principles and styles. For example, why milk and sugar, which have become the outcasts of modern health philosophies, can be good and nourishing in their whole form when properly prepared, and why, according to ancient Ayurveda, animal foods such as bone broth and meat have a place in our diet.
I’m looking at the concepts of this age-old Eastern philosophy in their simplest form – enough to get a feel for it and much more than just a flavour for anyone interested. Like all simple techniques, this means learning a new skill and allowing it to become second nature. Remember learning to ride a bike or drive a car? It takes a while to be totally confident and at ease with these, even on the most familiar routes. When you get to know more about new things, they can become very beautiful, which is why strange foods, customs and art can suddenly have so much meaning and appeal. At its simplest, use these recipes to balance your current feelings.
This is also a practical guide to making Eastern philosophy more accessible, taking the reader on a journey to learn healthy principles from a culture that is so different to ours and one that is rich in spiritual and ancient wisdom. More than anything, this book gives an explanation of some of the fundamentals of Ayurveda and offers some easy guidelines for following a more Ayurvedic lifestyle. It goes way beyond simply food, inviting the reader to look at their entire way of life.
Ayurvedic guidelines are designed to enhance your health and wellbeing. Enjoy the first round of learning this new language – you certainly don’t need to do everything to enjoy the benefits and it’s not an exclusive club. Dip your toes in and try these tips to help you as an individual in your environment – every time you work with Ayurveda, which is working with nature, you experience the benefits of vitality.
If you’ve ever read or heard anything about Ayurveda you might know about Doshas, or ‘body types’. In the West we love to pigeonhole and label, and while knowing your genetic body type is fascinating, even more important is being in tune with your body in the day to day – knowing how to remedy how you are feeling in the moment in order to give your body what it needs. This book helps you understand how the way you are feeling relates to food and your digestion. You’ll be relieved to know that while we are all individuals and have individual needs, by supporting our digestive ‘fire’ we are dealing with our health at its very heart. A well-functioning digestive system is at the centre of optimum health; not only in how we digest and deal with food but also how we digest and deal with life.
This book is split into three parts: Part 1: Introduction, followed by Part 2: The Recipes, then Part 3: Ayurveda Explained, which includes guidance on Doshas, Qualities, Tastes and lifestyle advice from the philosophy of Ayurveda.
The recipes are split into nine sections, beginning with the all-important Morning Milks – potent small meals that that are great for easing you into the day, as well as out of it. These are followed by more substantial Parana (breakfasts), some of which also make good lunches and suppers – look out for the moon signs which indicate what time of day each recipe is suited to. Then come the Sweet Treats – yes, these come before lunch in this book. This is because lunch, which I like to call ‘Surya Agni’ (‘Sun Fire’ in Sanskrit) is when your digestion is at its strongest. This is the best time of day to enjoy a main meal, and since sweet foods are the most heavy to digest as well as the most satisfying, in Ayurveda your starter is small and sweet and leaves you feeling just right, rather than eating savoury foods until you’re full and then pushing yourself over the edge with pudding! Pick lunch and dinner from the next two sections – Pakti Bowls and Soups and Stews. A cooked meal is considered ideal in Ayurveda, and this book celebrates the soups and stews that make the perfect easy-to-digest supper. As wonderfully homely as they are, sometimes we need some crunch and so my ‘Pakti bowls’ (Pakti’s meanings include ‘cooked, dignity, digestion’ in Sanskrit) are easy-to-digest hot salads and cooked dishes with plenty of texture. There is also a section for celebratory dishes – the kinds of things you save for entertaining – followed by a section dedicated to condiments and side dishes that can complete or elevate any meal. Last but not least, there’s an Apothecary section with medicinal teas and a medicine cabinet full of age-old recipes to support you through anything that doesn’t make you feel good.
The recipes are satisfying and nourishing, and are supported by essential information to show how they work together to enhance health and vitality. All the dishes are straightforward and make use of readily available ingredients, from my favourite Ayurvedic classics – including traditional recipes from around the world that already incorporate Ayurvedic principles – to some delicious Indian-inspired dishes and beautiful recipes that I’ve created to fit the principles. Most recipes suit everyone and can be tweaked to suit individuals – for instance, you’ll notice a little icon alongside recipes asking you how you are feeling according to the Doshas (see here). To understand whether to add extra ginger for Mum, greens for Dad or fats for someone else, read up on the Doshas in Part 3: Ayurveda Explained.
If you’re used to big flavours, the recipes here might seem subtle at first, but that is part of the experience. Ayurvedic cooking doesn’t rely on garlic and onion, or sting you with chilli, lemon and vinegar. Too often we use foods (and other stimuli) to distract us from our crazy lives or to kick us out of our fatigue.
Ayurvedic cooking is about following guiding principles rather than rules. It’s the ultimate way to know how to balance your inner world with your ever-changing environment. I hope that this book helps you feel more connected, well-rounded and excited about life. Once you can put this knowledge to use intuitively and find your groove, you can step out of it with confidence now and then to fully experience the rich tapestry of life, knowing that Ayurveda has got your back.