Keeping cool in summer with the right foods
Insights From Ananda Spa Executive Chef Narendra Sharma
Summer is the season of Pitta, the fire element in Ayurveda. In this season, the Pitta Dosha becomes elevated and our food needs to be cooling.
The nature of Pitta is hot, oily and sharp. So the food that corresponds to this nature elevates Pitta. For example, spicy, deep fried, salty and too sour flavors, as well as red meat, game meat, vinegar, red wine, alcohol etc. elevate Pitta. The elevated pitta can lead to acidity, high blood pressure, aggression, loss of appetite, nose bleeds, acne and other Pitta -related ailments.
To reduce Pitta in summer, avoid excessive work and avoid the hot sun. Drink lots of water, meditate and eat light food. Avoid heavy, greasy, oily, spicy food. Include summer fruits in your diet, and bitter and astringent vegetables. Drinks made of lemon, yogurt, tamarind are very good in summer.
Some suggestion for summer months
- Include cold salads, fresh fruit, green vegetables
- Don’t have unseasonal food fruits and vegetables.
- Consumption of cucumber, yogurt, watermelon, coconut water, lemon is considered beneficial.
For a refreshingly wholesome meal that will calm your Pitta, try this delicious dish from Chef Narendra Sharma of Ananda Spa on a muggy summer afternoon.
Chilled Cucumber and Yogurt Soup
With peppermint flavored olive oil
2 servings
Ingredients
Summer Cucumber: 1/2 cup
Yogurt: 2/3 cup
Water: 7/16 cup
Salt black: 1 teaspoon
Peppermint: 1 tablespoon
Olive oil: 2 teaspoon
Black pepper: 1 teaspoon
Fresh onion juice: 1 tablespoon
Directions
- Peel de-seed and dice cucumber.
- Mix with yogurt, water salt, fresh onion juice. And blend in a blender until smooth.
- Adjust the seasoning with black pepper and salt.
- Garnish it with peppermint and olive oil.
- Serve in chilled soup plate.