November has barely begun and the Christmas holidays are fast approaching. This is a time when the family comes together again and large menus are often prepared. That's why many people start fasting in the weeks before or start the new year with a detox cure. But we should be mindful of ourselves during the holidays and use the days off to recharge our batteries. That is why nutrition is essential during this time.
Hearty, fatty meat dishes are a tradition in many places, but they can unbalance our bioenergies as well as inhibit our digestion. The result: we feel sluggish and listless. Yet there are also great Ayurvedic dishes that strengthen your doshas and are a great fit for a holiday menu. For your inspiration, we have created a very special Ayurvedic holiday menu for you at the European Ayurveda Resort Sonnhof. Have fun cooking it!
1st course: Parsnip soup
As a starter we have a warming soup for you. It stimulates your digestive fire Agni and strengthens your immune system.
You need:
- 500 g parsnips
- 1 tbsp grape seed oil
- 500 ml oat milk
- ½ tsp aniseed
- ½ tsp fresh lovage
- ½ tsp fresh marjoram
- 1 pinch cardamom
- Salt & Pepper
- Water
Here we go:
Peel the parsnips and cut them into small cubes. Then heat the grape seed oil slightly in a pot and add the aniseed. Roast them briefly before adding the parsnip cubes. When these are also briefly roasted, add as much water to the pot until the vegetables are just covered. Now you can let the whole thing cook in peace. When the parsnips are nice and soft, take the pot off the cooker and blend the entire contents into a smooth mixture. If you like, you can also strain the soup mixture by passing it through a sieve.
Only now does the oat milk come into play: it and the cardamom can finally join the parsnips. While the whole thing is boiling, you can finely chop the fresh herbs and then add them to the soup. Now you just have to season it with salt and pepper and the first course can be served.
2nd course: Sweet potato gratin with spinach and hazelnut
How does your Ayurvedic holiday menu taste? In the main course we rely on the power of sweet potatoes and spinach. They not only bundle valuable ingredients, but also bring wonderful colors into the dark season and onto your plate.
You need:
- 3 large sweet potatoes
- 200 g spinach
- 200 ml oat milk
- 150 g hazelnut ground
- 2 tbsp grated ginger
- ½ tsp mustard seeds
- ½ tsp cumin
- 2 tbsp walnut oil
- Salt & Pepper
Here we go:
Preheat the oven to 180° C. Then peel and slice the sweet potatoes. Then you can take your time with the sweet potatoes: peel and cut them into thin slices and spread them evenly on a baking tray. Now you can brush the sweet potatoes with a little walnut oil, salt and pepper them. Leave the bright orange slices in the oven for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, lightly roast the cumin, mustard seeds and ginger with the remaining oil in a pan. Now add the hazelnut flour and deglaze with the oat milk. Let the milk boil once before seasoning with salt and pepper.
As soon as the sweet potatoes come out of the oven, it's time for layering: Start with the sweet potatoes in a baking dish, add some spinach and then the oat milk. Make as many layers as your dish will hold and then put the casserole back in the oven for another 15 minutes. Et voilà, you are ready to serve the next course.
3rd course: Baked apple with nut filling
After these soothing two courses, a sweet finale is of course a must. And what would go better with the winter holidays than a cinnamon-scented baked apple?
You need:
- 4 small apples
- 100 g ground nuts (mixed as desired or just one type)
- 1 pinch vanilla
- 1 pinch cinnamon
- ½ tsp honey
- Lemon juice
Here we go:
For our dessert, preheat the oven to 180° C again. Then peel the apples and hollow them out with a small spoon or a Parisenne cookie cutter. Then take a small bowl and mix the nuts with the spices and a dash of lemon juice. The nut mixture now finds its way into the hollow of the apples before both are placed together on a baking tray in the oven for about 8 minutes. Before serving, drizzle a little honey over the apples - delicious!
By the way, you can also find all Ayurvedic spices in our online shop. Have fun browsing!
