Ummmmmm this was GORGEOUS for my vata pitta constitution. You could add beans to it which would work well for pitta or Kapha types. Vata types will do better with cheese, you could use chunks of a soft cheese or grate a harder cheese over the top, but if you are feeling any vata out of balance symptoms, add chicken or stewing beef – symptoms include feeling ungrounded, spaced out, anxious, fearful, insomnia, constipation, dry skin, cracked lips, nervous system disorders. The beef really helps to ground vata dosha quickly, which will shift anxiety and fear into peace and contentment. The chicken works well but is a lighter meat, so not as grounding, and doesn’t pack the same nutritional punch. If you let these vata imbalance symptoms persist, joint pain and illnesses related to the nervous system are common, as are M.E. and fibromyalgia.
INGREDIENTS (for the basic minestrone for 2 people)
1 leek cut in big chunks
2 cloves garlic sliced into matchsticks
1 large carrot cut into 3 inch sticks
1 red beetroot sliced into sticks
1 golden beetroot sliced into sticks
1 potato sliced into sticks
1 tin whole tomatoes
5 cups stock
2 teaspoons tamari
1 teaspoon mixed grain mustard
Rock salt
Fresh coarsely ground black pepper (1/4 teaspoon)
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
3 tables spoons ghee
METHOD
Saute the leek and garlic until soft then add the root vegetables and sauté for about 5 minutes. Next add the tomatoes, stock, tamari, mustard and simmer until cooked. Season with salt and serve with your choice of protein and the parsley.
Complete comfort food for an autumn or winters day.
Butter bean & tomato coconut stew
Warm beet with ghee, tabouli, with mint & cardamon dressing