Better together: a chakra inspired birthday menu
Everything I made for my yoga wellness salon inspired birthday
This year, my birthday menu wasn’t just about indulgence—it was about balance. Inspired by the vibrant colors of the chakras, each dish was designed to nourish the body and soul while celebrating the beautiful harmony of flavor and intention. Cooking with
, my trusted taste-tester, made the process even sweeter.
A chakra (pronounced cha-kra, meaning "wheel" or "disk" in Sanskrit) is a concept from ancient Indian traditions that describes energy centers in the body. These energy centers are believed to influence our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
There are seven main chakras, each corresponding to a specific location along the spine and associated with different aspects of life and health. Think of them as spinning wheels or hubs that help distribute energy throughout your body. When your chakras are balanced and aligned, it’s said that energy flows freely, promoting harmony. If they’re blocked or overactive, it might lead to feelings of imbalance, both physically and emotionally.
Here’s a quick overview of the seven chakras:
Root Chakra (Muladhara) – Base of the spine; represents grounding and stability.
Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana) – Below the navel; governs creativity and pleasure.
Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura) – Upper abdomen; relates to confidence and power.
Heart Chakra (Anahata) – Center of the chest; linked to love and compassion.
Throat Chakra (Vishuddha) – Throat area; associated with communication and truth.
Third Eye Chakra (Ajna) – Between the eyebrows; connects to intuition and insight.
Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) – Top of the head; represents spiritual connection and enlightenment.
While the chakras are rooted in spiritual and metaphysical traditions, they’re also used as tools for mindfulness and holistic wellness, offering a way to reflect on areas of life that might need attention or nurturing. Whether you believe in their physical energy or use them as metaphors, they invite us to explore balance and harmony in our lives.
Here’s what was on the menu and how it all tied into the chakras:
Root Chakra ❤️ (Red): Spicy glazed carrots brought the heat with cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, garlic, and harissa—a grounding and flavorful start to the meal.
Sacral Chakra 🧡 (Orange): Our harissa sauce added a tangy, smoky layer to both the salmon and chicken, embodying the creative spark that fuels joy.
Solar Plexus Chakra 💛 (Yellow): Lemon turmeric rice radiated warmth and brightness, just like your personal power center.
Heart Chakra 💚 (Green): A spring mix salad with crisp apples, creamy feta, and a zesty cilantro yogurt dressing kept the meal fresh, light, and full of love.
Throat Chakra 💙 (Blue): Garlic naan, soft and homemade, brought a comforting balance, perfect for sharing stories and laughs around the table.
Crown Chakra 💜 (Purple): The mushroom galette, with its golden puff pastry base and earthy topping, tied everything together, a dish as elevated as it was comforting.
Each dish was a delicious reminder to honor the connection between food, spirit, and celebration. See my Pinterest board here.
Spicy Glazed Carrots
1 lb carrots, peeled and sliced lengthwise
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp harissa paste
1 tbsp honey (optional)
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Toss carrots with olive oil, spices, and garlic. Roast for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway. Drizzle with harissa paste (and agave if you like a hint of sweetness) before serving.
Cilantro Yogurt Dressing
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
Juice of 1 lime
Salt and pepper to taste
Blend all ingredients until smooth. Adjust lime juice and seasoning as needed.
Mushroom Galette
1 sheet Sweet Loren’s puff pastry
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup caramelized onions
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1 tbsp olive oil
Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll out the puff pastry and layer with mushrooms, onions, and feta. Fold edges inward, brush with olive oil, and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden.
Spring Mix Feta and Apple Salad
4 cups spring mix
1 apple, thinly sliced
1/4 cup feta cheese
1/4 cup candied pecans (optional)
Cilantro yogurt dressing (above)
Toss salad ingredients with dressing just before serving.
Harissa Sauce
7 Dried New Mexico Chiles or Guajillo Chiles, or a combination of dried New Mexico Chiles and another kind of dried hot chiles such as de arbol or chipotle chiles
6 oz jarred roasted red peppers, drained rinsed, and dried (2 large peppers)
2 tbsp tomato paste
4 large garlic cloves, peeled
1 tsp caraway seeds, toasted and ground (use a mortar and pestle, grinder or food processor)
2 tsp ground coriander
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp cayenne pepper
Kosher salt
Juice of 1 large lemon, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp quality extra virgin olive oil (I like Kosterina garlic olive oil!)
Step 1: Soak the Chiles
Start by giving those dried chiles some love! Place them in a heat-safe bowl and pour hot water over the top. Let them soak for about 30 minutes, until they’re tender and ready to shine. Once softened, drain the water, and gently remove the stems and seeds (a little messy, but worth it).
Step 2: Blend the Flavor Bomb
Now the magic happens! Pop the rehydrated chiles into a food processor with a blade attachment. Toss in tomato paste, roasted red peppers, garlic, and a gorgeous lineup of spices: ground caraway, coriander, cumin, smoked paprika, and a pinch of cayenne if you're feeling spicy. Don’t forget a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice to bring it all together.
Step 3: Create the Paste
Turn on the processor and, as it hums, drizzle in extra virgin olive oil through the top opening. Let it blend until everything comes together into a velvety, flavorful paste. Pause to scrape down the sides, then blend again until it’s just right. Taste-test like a pro and adjust the spices to your liking. (Pro tip: the flavors will get even deeper after a day or two in the fridge!)
Step 4: Store the Goodness
Transfer your harissa paste into a clean mason jar and smooth the top. Add a whisper-thin layer of olive oil over the paste to keep it fresh. Seal the jar tightly and pop it into the fridge. It’s ready to elevate everything from roasted veggies to grilled proteins—and it only gets better with time!
Lemon Turmeric Rice
1 cup jasmine rice
1 3/4 cups water
1/2 tsp turmeric
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Salt to taste
Cook rice with water, turmeric, and salt. Fluff with lemon zest and juice before serving.
Homemade Garlic Naan
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup yogurt
1/4 cup warm water
2 cloves garlic, minced
ghee
Mix dry ingredients, then add yogurt and water to form a dough. Rest for 20 minutes. Roll into circles and cook on a hot skillet until bubbly. Brush with garlic ghee before serving.
Which dish would you want to taste first? Let me know in the comments, and don’t forget to tag me if you recreate any of these chakra-inspired recipes!