Recipe: Ghee (butter clarified in peace)

 gaiatri

It's a full moon which means it's time to make ghee! Ghee is traditionally made on the full moon as it is when the 'soma', the juice or life essence, is at it's highest, and is then manifested within your delicious ghee. Like all cooking, ghee should especially be made in a peaceful environment. I make my ghee listening to music that makes me happy or peaceful. I've especially enjoyed chanting one of the peace mantras (see bottom) or listening to modern music that puts me in a good mood. You want to infuse goodness, joy, peace into your ghee, so don't stress; you're ghee is going to be great!

 

RECIPE FOR GHEE (AYURVEDIC CLARIFIED BUTTER)

You'll need:
Sweet (unsalted) Organic Butter
small amount of cheese cloth
a fine strainer
glass receptacle for ghee (sanitized and completely dry)

*Note: you will never stir the butter. ever. in this recipe. In a medium sized pot, put butter on medium heat on stove. Let it melt and once it comes to a boil, turn it down to a simmer (very important so that the butter does not burn). White (the milk solids) will rise to the top. Don't touch it. The butter will sound like pop corn popping as it cooks. In 15-20 minutes the milk solids will have dissipated and there will be a brown coating at the bottom of the pot. When the popping sound has died and it smells like butter croissants, remove the pot from the heat. Let it sit for 3 minutes or so. (not absolutely necessary but nice) Line strainer with cheese cloth and pour melted mixture through cloth/strainer and into glass jar. Do not pour the brown at the bottom of the pot-- leave in the pot. Done! Throw out cheese cloth and clean out the pot.

Special notes about ghee:
*The ghee can be stored at room temperature so long as only clean dry utencils go in it. Otherwise, stash it in the fridge.  
*Ghee gets better tasting the longer it's around, so you can make a lot at once.
*If you are making a lot of butter (more than one pound) at a time, you can scrape away the milk solids as they rise so that it doesn't grow too full.

• Vata, Pitta, Kapha: GREAT! Ghee is tridoshic, so everyone, enjoy! 

Kate's Favorite Peace Mantra: hear it you tube video

"Om Poornamadah / Poornamidam / Poornat / Poornamudachyate / Poornasya / Poornamaadaya / Poornamevavashishyate / Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantih"

Meaning: The literal meaning of this mantra is: "That is Absolute, This is Absolute, Absolute arises out of Absolute, If Absolute is taken away from Absolute, Absolute remains OM Peace, Peace, Peace".