A brown-skinned woman holds grains of rice in her cupped hands as grains slowly fall away. She's wearing a warm-colored printed shirt. The landscape background is blurred.

There’s something comforting about a bowl of warm, spiced rice on a crisp fall day. That’s why I love this turmeric rice recipe by my friend and Ayurvedic Chef Divya Alter. It’s simple to make, is deeply nourishing, and full of ingredients that support the body and mind.

As a Pitta-Kapha Dosha, it helps me balance excess Pitta and Kapha in my system in the fall and winter months. The grounding grains, warming spices, and healthy fats calm inflammation and support digestion.

Jump to the recipe.

Healing ingredients perfect for fall and winter.

Turmeric: Nature’s Anti-Inflammatory

Turmeric is well-known for its vibrant color, but its real power lies in curcumin—a plant compound with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Curcumin helps reduce inflammation at a cellular level, which is key for supporting healthy joints, heart health, and even cognitive function as we age.

In Ayurveda, turmeric balances all three doshas and is especially useful during seasonal transitions. To activate curcumin’s benefits, use a healthy fat, like ghee or coconut oil, and add a pinch of black pepper to boost its absorption.

Cloves: A Warm Protector

Cloves may be small, but they pack a potent punch. Rich in antioxidants, cloves help protect the brain from oxidative stress and may support memory and focus over time.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, cloves are warming and stimulate agni (digestive fire), making them ideal during colder seasons. They help reduce bloating and support smoother digestion, especially when paired with grounding grains like basmati rice.

Curry Leaves: Pitta and Kapha Pacifying

Fragrant and slightly bitter, curry leaves are more than just aromatic—they’re balancing. In Ayurveda, curry leaves help pacify both Pitta and Kapha doshas, making them a supportive choice during late fall and early winter.

They also aid digestion and gently stimulate the appetite without overheating the body. When sautéed in ghee or coconut oil, curry leaves infuse dishes with a uniquely grounding energy.

Ghee and Coconut Oil: Nourishing Carriers for Healing

Healthy fats like ghee and coconut oil are considered essential in Ayurveda. Ghee builds ojas, meaning it supports immunity, vitality, and emotional resilience. It strengthens digestion and acts as a carrier, delivering the healing benefits of herbs and spices deeper into the tissues.

Coconut oil, on the other hand, has a cooling quality, making it a great alternative when Pitta is high. It still supports absorption of fat-soluble nutrients and adds a subtle sweetness to the rice, making it feel both light and satisfying.

Divya Alter’s Turmeric Rice

Servings: 4 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes | Dietary Info: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

1 cup white basmati rice
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground turmeric
4 whole cloves
3 teaspoons ghee or coconut oil
6 curry leaves

For Pitta Balancing: Reduce the turmeric to ¼ teaspoon.
For Kapha Balancing: Omit the ghee and add a ½-inch cinnamon stick in Step 2; reduce the ghee to 1 teaspoon in Step 4.

Instructions

Using a mesh strainer, rinse the rice and soak it in cold water for 10 minutes; drain well.
In a 1- to 2-quart saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil and add the salt, turmeric, cloves, and 1 teaspoon of the ghee. Add the rice and return to a full boil.
Cover with a tight-fitting lid, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes. Do not open or stir the pot. In 15 minutes, check whether the grains need a little more water or more time—all the water should be absorbed, and a grain of rice should not be hard when squeezed between your two fingers. Turn off the heat and keep the grains covered.
In a metal measuring cup or a small pan, heat the remaining 2 teaspoons ghee over medium-low heat, add the curry leaves, and sauté for 5 to 10 seconds, until the leaves crisp up.
Drizzle the infused ghee and leaves on the rice, cover, and let the grains firm up for 5 more minutes.
Fluff with a fork and remove the cloves and curry leaves. Serve steamy hot.
Note: Here’s an alternative method of cooking that adds a nuance of toasted flavor and more warming energy to the rice: Pat-dry the washed and soaked rice in Step 1. Heat 1 tablespoon ghee over low heat, add the turmeric, cloves, and curry leaves, and cook for 10 to 15 seconds. Add the rice and gently stir-fry until the grains become translucent and squeaky. Add the water and salt and follow the cooking instructions in Step 3. Skip Step 4.

Every season offers us a chance to realign with what our bodies truly need—and food is one of the most powerful ways to do that.

If you’re curious about your own Dosha and how to support it through seasonal changes, take the Arvasi Dosha Data Assessment. It’s free, takes 3-5 minutes, and you’ll get access to the Weekly Health Rx–weekly MD-led audio coaching that blends evidence-based medicine with Ayurvedic healing, personalized to your body's constitution and the season you're in.

Because when you understand your unique nature, everything—from the meals you make to the routines you follow—can become a form of healing.

Be well,