— HeyMonicaB

What is Ghee? Ghee is clarified butter and the purest, most sattvic oil. When making ghee, you boil off the sugar, water and salts that are in the butter, leaving only the oil – pure fat.

Why is it good for me? Ghee an excellent aid for digestion since it increases agni (psst! It’s the only oil that does!). It is oleating and calming for vata. It is soothing and cooling for pitta. It is also ok for kapha in moderation because it helps increase digestive fire. Ghee improves memory and lubricates the connective tissues. It helps the body absorb nutrients and helps “butter” the body’s insides to keep everything running smoothly. People who have ama or a white tongue, should not take ghee.

You can use it internally or externally. Be forewarned if you use it externally you will smell like butter. Although ghee on our feet makes for a great massage! Our bodies LOVE ghee. Make your own if you can or get some from Pure Indian Foods (tell them I sent you!).

Don’t refrigerate. Ghee has a high smoke point, so you can use it for cooking and stir-frying. You can even make ghee candles which are great for tired, irritated pitta eyes.

Keep your ghee clean. That means don’t go spreading ghee on your toast and then dip the crumby knife back in the ghee. Spoon out a separate amount and use. No double dipping!

Recipe for Ghee.
1 lb. unsalted butter

Melt in small sauce pan on medium heat.
It will start to bubble & crackle – do not stir. (Some junk will fall to the bottom, and other junk will float to the top. You want the stuff in the middle)
Once the butter is melted, turn down the heat until the butter just boils and continue to cook at this heat. Should take about 15 minutes for 1lb.

Keep an eye on ghee, it can burn. If it smells like buttery popcorn, you’re doing great. If it smells like toasted nuts and turns a little brown, you’ve burnt it.

Once the ghee has stopped making noise and is clear all the way to the bottom of the pan (swipe away the foam with a spoon to look), set aside until it is just warm and drain through a thin sieve. If you just have a spoon, then spoon off the top (toss it) and then spoon out the clear/yellow oil in the middle into a glass jar. Leave the junk on the bottom.