Chaat masala: spice blend for the health of the heart

When we think of the circulatory system and the heart, we need to think in a few spices: cocoa, cinnamon, fennel, garlic, cardamon, chili, turmeric, amchur, black cumin and marjoram. You can play at home with this spices to keep your heart in shape.

Bomba Macaroons

These semi-sweet balls are excellent for the Pitta dosha and are a fun activity to do with children. 


Ingredients:

1 cup raw carrots, grated (about 2 carrots)

1/4 cup water

1/2 cup maple syrup

2 tbsp ghee


Adobo: A Latinamerican Spice Blend

"Adobo" is a popular all-purpose seasoning that has a garlic flavor. It is commonly used in Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. If you would like it to be a bit hotter, add an extra tablespoon or two of ground chili.


Ingredients:

2 tbsp black peppercorns

2 tbsp cumin seeds


Coconut Milk Ganache

For my vegan friends and lovers of chocolate. Easy and versatile ganache, to put over cakes, baked fruits and pies. An elegant and lovely sauce for the Pitta dosha.



Ingredients 


6 oz semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped

4 oz organic coconut milk

1/2 tsp cardamon 

1/2 orange peel

1/2 tsp ginger

Pinch of chilli pepper

Pinch of salt

Lentil Chili with Chocolate…“The Chili That Makes You Feel Good!”

"By Tania Morrison, who recently used this winning recipe in a chili cook off fundraiser".

Recipe adapted from Brazen Kitchen’s original recipe http://brazenkitchen.com/2011/05/05/lentil-chili-with-chocolate/

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This simple chili is rich with hearty yet elegant Le Puy lentils, sophisticated spice alchemy, and chocolate!  Delicious and nutritious!

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Ingredients:

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon clarified butter

1 large leek (white and light green parts only), finely chopped

2-3 tablespoons garlic, finely chopped

2 tablespoons ginger, finely chopped

Savory Cocoa blend

Cocoa is popular in Mexican cooking, specially as a spicy beverage and in savory dishes. This blend you can used as a salad dressing based, vegetables and grains. This blend makes 1 cup. Excellent for Vatta doshas. My pitta friends can reduce chili and add pomegranate powder or dill wed. Love to hear your feedback.

·      1/4 cup organic cocoa

·      1/4 cup organic cumin powder.
·      2 tsp Spanish paprika
·      2 tsp ground coriander
·      2 tsp chilli powder.

 2 tsp ground red peppercorns.

 1 tsp sea salt

 1 tsp ground allspice

Combine all the ingredients and keep in a airtight container out of heat and light.

Parasite purification

By Rachel Freeman

AROUND THE WORLD

Up until relatively recently in Canadian history, a parasite cleanse was a regular (annual or semi-annual) part of our health regime. Historically, up until the 1930s, people woud use castor oil or other home remedies to purge their bodies or any parasites, once or twice a year.

In Europe, parasite cleanses are more common

Spiced Dates with Pomegranate and Ricotta

I usually don't pay a lot of attention to food composition, but dates are a very impressive source of minerals, natural sugars and vitamins. Dates are a perfect tonic for all doshas and for children. This particular recipe is sexy, exotic and delicious.

My favorite part is that it can be served as part of a meal or as a dessert. The secret of this recipe is to select big, juicy dates.

Ingredients:

1 tsp ghee

1 tsp orange peel powder

¼ to ½ tsp chili 

1 tsp cardamon 

3 tsp sesame seeds 

15         plump dates

1-3 tbsp         water

Fresh ricotta

Pomegranate seeds

3         large slices of fresh mozzarella cheese (for the variation)

Directions:

Sauté the spices and seeds with the ghee. Add the dates and water and cook on low heat. Mix and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove the pits and fill the dates with ricotta cheese mixed with pomegranate seeds. 

Variation: 

Omit the ricotta and pomegranate seeds. Once the dates are cooked, add three slices of mozzarella cheese to the top of the date mixture and cover the pan. Continue cooking until the cheese is melted.

Nutrients per 100 gms of dates:

Potassium 650 mg 

Calcium 64 mg 

Magnesium 54 gm 

Phosphorus 63 mg 

Niacin 1.6 mg 

Carbohydrates 66.77 

Sodium 2.5 gm 

Vitamin A 50 international units 

Vitamin C .1 mg

Moist quinoa Chocolate Cake.

No one will believe that this chocolate cake is made with cooked quinoa - no flour required! It is kid-friendly and gluten-free. Adapt the spices according to your dosha.


Serves 8-16

Ingredients


2/3 cup white or golden quinoa

1 1/3 cups water

1/3 cup coconut milk

4 large eggs, or substitute


La Kama North Africa spice Mix

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This mix is the most common Moroccan seasoning, used to flavor soups, stews, and slow cooked dishes. Combine the following spices and keep stored in an airtight container. It make about ¼ cup. The heat is mild. Good for vata and kapha.