Ghee is that beautifully golden substance made from butter. In Ayurveda ghee is used for everyday cooking as well as medically. Different herbal mixes are added to ghee and given as medicine as ghee has the capacity. Ghee is offered to Lord Agni still today in religious ceremonies throughout India. It can be used therapeutically both internally and externally.
Ghee is more than a food substance. As with all foods, ghee holds a certain energy. Ghee holds a pure or sattvic energy. Sattvic foods are thought to be abundant in prana, the universal life-force. They have a harmonious and peaceful nature. Sattvic foods also support physical strength, a strong and pure mind, good health, and longevity.
Ingredients
750g of unsalted butter (i.e. 3 blocks of 250g)
Method
1. Put the butter into a pot.
2. Turn on the heat to medium until the butter melts
3. The butter will start boiling, reduce now the heat to minimum and simmer
4. Skim off the foam and put into a bowl continuously (this foam can be kept in the fridge for a few days and used on rice)
5. The cooking time should not be more than 20min
6. Once liquid becomes clear and the bottom of the pot can be seen the Ghee is ready. At the same time it should be easy to see whitish curds at the bottom of the pot that are turning slightly brown. At this moment the ghee is ready and should be taken off the heat immediately as ghee can burn easily (burned ghee has a nutty smell, dull and slightly brownish colour)
7. At this stage handle the ghee with extreme caution as its extremely hot
8. Put a cheese cloth in a colander and sieve the ghee into glass jars with a lid. Let the ghee cool and then cover with lids.
9. Discard the solids at the bottom of the pot
Ghee can be kept on the kitchen counter for months as its pure oil.
- Ghee is a digestive that helps absorption and assimilation
- Ghee nourishes ojas, tejas and prana
- Ghee lubricates the body and especially the joints helping with flexibility
- Ghee improves memory and the connective tissue
- Ghee is a catalytic agent that carries the medicinal properties of herbs into the seven dhatus or tissues of the body
- Ghee pacifies Vata and Pitta and is acceptable in moderation for Kapha
As you get familiar with making ghee you can make larger amounts at a time.
