Yavagu (Gruel) : A Simple & Powerful Meal

We all know gruel, When cereals are cooked with water, the resulting goodness is gruel. When you make gruels according to Ayurveda, you add in a few herbs and spices that makes it both tastier and healthier. That is called Yavagu, a dietetic preparation in Ayurveda which is good for healthy people and sick alike. Yavagu is best for anyone with decreased digestive capacity. Yavagu is mostly a rice preparation in which rice and water are mixed in a 1 : 6 ratio for cooking.

First let’s see how to make a Basic Gruel

This is an easy to prepare gruel which is suitable for all and is helpful in improving digestion and immunity.

Basic Gruel:

Cooking time : 30 mins

Quantity : for 2 people

Ingredients:

Raw rice : ½ Cup

Green gram (Socked at least 8 hours) : ½ Cup

Water : 3 cups

curry leaves : 8-10 pieces

Small onion : 4-5 pieces

Ginger : A small piece

Rock salt : to taste

Black pepper powder : 2 Pinch

Cumin powder : 1 Pinch

Preparation :

1. Raw rice is mixed with green gram, onion, ginger is mixed with 3 cups of water and is boiled well (2 whistle in pressure cooker).
2. Once it is cooked  properly, add crushed or powdered black pepper and cumin and add curry leaves as well.
3. Salt sufficiently.
4. Serve in a bowl.
5. If you like the taste of ghee, add a dollop right into the serving bowl.
6. Enjoy it warmly.

Varieties of Yavagu

Here are some healthy varieties of Yavagu which are easy to prepare.

1) Broken wheat porridge

Broken wheat porridge cooked with cow's milk and brown sugar is very good for preventing vata disorders. It gives quick energy and is strengthening.

2) Barley Malt porridge

Barley malt porridge mixed with cow's milk and cardamom is good for preventing cough and it is very good for improving the strength and bulk of lean people.

3) Raw rice porridge

Porridge made from raw rice mixed with cow's milk and sugar is good for improving sperm count and helps in reducing body heat.

4) Puffed rice porridge

Porridge made from puffed rice with cow's milk and sugar is useful for stomach pain, diarrhea, IBS and Vomiting.

5)Green gram porridge

Porridge made by green gram (after removing the skin) 1 part and 1 part raw rice with cows milk and sugar is good for reducing pitta in the body.

6) Boiled rice porridge

Boiled rice porridge needs to be cooked 2 times. After first cooking, filter the water out and again add more water to it and cook again. It is very good for all fevers and for improving immunity. Boiled rice porridge advised to be taken with rock salt.

7) Arrowroot porridge

Porridge made with arrowroot powder, milk and sugar is very good for children, especially those who are tired, have diarrhoea and urinary tract infections.

Gruels are infinitely customisable according to your health needs and the content of your pantry. In all ways, it's easy to prepare, fast to digest and absorb, gives tons of energy quickly and maintains strength and immunity by balancing the doshas.