Recipe: Kapha Garden Spring Rolls

In Ayurveda, Kapha is one of the three major mind-body types, known as doshas. If you are experiencing a Kapha imbalance, it’s important to emphasize pungent, bitter, and astringent foods in your diet. These flavors help ignite your digestive fires and clear away the heaviness of Kapha. At the same time, minimize your intake of the sweet, salty, and sour tastes – all of which increase Kapha. This recipe for delicious Garden Spring Rolls contains many Kapha-balancing ingredients that will help you feel light and energized.

Ingredients
One head of butter lettuce
1 cup carrots, grated
1 cup jicama, grated*
1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced and chopped
1 cup zucchini, thinly sliced and chopped
½ cup radish or sunflower sprouts
¼ cup cilantro, chopped
¼ cup mint, chopped
¼ cup basil, chopped
1 cup shredded red cabbage (optional)

*Note: If jicama isn’t available in your area, you can substitute crunchy asian pears, crisp apples, water chestnuts, white turnips, or radishes.

Separate out 8 to 10 of the largest lettuce leaves. Shred or thinly slice the rest of the lettuce. Combine all the vegetables into a bowl. Add the fresh herbs and toss with ½ cup dressing (see recipe below).

Bring a few cups of water to a boil in a sauce pan. Quickly wilt the lettuce leaves by dipping into the water for 10–15 seconds.  Place leaves in icy water for a minute, then remove and pat dry. Lay out on a paper towel on a flat surface. Divide vegetables between all the leaves. Roll them into small rolls, about 1 inch wide and 3 inches long. Display on a bed of shredded red cabbage and serve with dipping sauce and extra dressing.

Dressing

½ cup apple juice
½ cup rice vinegar
¼ cup maple syrup or honey
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
½ teaspoon ginger
1 tablespoon Braggs Liquid Aminos or tamari

Combine ingredients and stir.

Spicy Lime and Red Pepper Dipping Sauce

¼ cup roasted red pepper, diced
¼ cup fresh lime (orange juice also works well)
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoons Braggs Liquid Aminos or tamari
½ teaspoon cayenne
1 tablespoon basil, thinly chopped
1 tablespoon peanut butter

Purée the ingredients in blender until smooth. You may add a little orange juice or apple juice if you want to dilute the mixture.

This recipe is from The Chopra Center. Visit www.chopra.com for this, and also check out their What’s Your Dosha Quiz