Sanjivani Kadhi/Yogurt Soup

Health Benefits:

 Sanjivani Kadhi is a nutritious soup made with Yogurt [hyperlink], Besan/Gram flour and a few Indian spices. It is a preferred way to consume yogurt for Kapha type individuals (please refer to Ayurveda body types) as it has mucolytic properties.  It especially loved during winter season. It is rich in protein, calcium and antioxidants and it helps boost the immunity. Kadhi enhances the taste of Khichdi [hyperlink], Pulav [hyperlink], or Rice [hyperlink] and makes the meal wholesome.

Ingredients:

• Yogurt-1 cup
• Besan/Gram flour-2 heaped tablespoons, more if yogurt is sour.
• Jaggery-1 tablespoon or less or n0ne in diabetics who may choose to add sweeteners of their choice. Please do not add honey to hot liquids.
• Cilantro, finely chopped-1-2 tablespoons.

Spices:

• Ginger-ground/grated-1 inch/1 teaspoon.
• Green chilies-ground/crushed-½ teaspoon- more if desired to make it more hot.
• Mustard seeds-1 teaspoon
• Cumin seeds-1 teaspoon
• Fenugreek seeds-1 teaspoon
• Asafetida-1 pinch or 1/5 teaspoon
• Curry leaves-7 to 8 leaves
• Cloves-3 pieces
• Cinnamon, ½ inch-3 pieces
• Salt to taste

Liquids:

• Ghee, liquified-1 tablespoon
• Water-3 cups, add an additional cup if yogurt is sour and more besan is added.

Cooking Instructions:

• Mix yogurt, besan and water into a smooth mixture by either whisking or by blending them together and keep it aside.
• Heat ghee in a pot and add mustard seeds and cumin seeds, let them crackle.
• Then add curry leaves, asafetida, followed by ginger, chilies.
• Now add the smooth mixture of yogurt, besan and any remaining water
• Add jaggery, fenugreek seeds, and salt to taste.
• Continue stirring intermittently until it gets 2-3 boils. Keep a close watch to not let it spill over.
• Add cilantro and cover the pot.
• Serve the hot yogurt soup/kadhi with khichadi, rice or pulav. Some enjoy drinking the kadhi by itself.

Optional:

Okra/Bhindi Kadhi– add ½ cup diced okra in the kadhi mixture before boiling it which cooks the okra. Addition of okra is especially good for diabetics and it has antioxidant properties.

Radish/Mooli Kadhi-– add ½ cup diced radish in the kadhi mixture before boiling it. Addition of radish increases its mucolytic properties and boosts the immune system of the body.