Monday, April 4, 2016

Turmeric Power!

Recently I can't get enough of Turmeric. The weird nobbly root that dyes your fingers bright orange.
It has been used in Ayurverdic medicine for thousands of years as an anti-inflammatory and powerful antioxidant that has well researched and recognised anti-cancer effects, used in both the prevention and treatment of.

The active component in turmeric is called curcumin. Curcumin has poor oral bioavailability but black pepper can help enhance absorption. Black pepper contains a compound called bio-perine, which helps you to absorb nutrients from your food. If you want the anti-inflammatory benefits of curcumin in your colon, skip the black pepper. Or stick it up your bum. Just kidding. Don't do that. 

Remember! Not all turmeric is equal! Please purchase a good quality, organic and raw powder from a health food shop and NOT a generic bottle from the spice aisle of the supermarket. You want it to be active and nutritious, not sawdust. I am currently using a brand I found in Planet Organic called Organic Traditions which is £6.99 for 200g (this lasts ages!). 

Below are my favourite comforting recipes using warming turmerc. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Daal

I can't believe I haven't posted a daal recipe on here yet! It is my go-to comfort food! This recipe is rich in the anti-oxidants beta-carotene and lutein which can be found in orange, yellow and red fruit and veg. There's nothing like a bucket of this on a cold, wet winters night, or when you're hungover and sofa bound! It's a warm hug in a bowl and puts the world to rights.

Don't be put off by the long list of ingredients. It's super quick and easy to make and once you've done it a few times you'll be making your own version. Blindfolded.

Cooking time about 40mins. Serves 3/4 

Ingredients

1 tbsp coconut oil
1 sweet potato or large white potato
1 mug of split red lentils washed and any stones removed
1 red or orange bell pepper, sliced
1 red onion 
3/4 handfuls spinach leaves, well washed
2 turmeric roots sliced or 2 tsp ground turmeric
1 thumb sized piece of ginger root cut into matchsticks
3 gloves garlic
1 red chilli
1 green chilli
1 tbsp garam masala
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground cumin
800mls-1 litre veggie stock
1 tin chopped tomatoes

To top:
Coconut or low fat yoghurt
Fresh coriander, chopped roughly, washed and stalks removed
Wedge of lime

Serve with basmati rice or eat on its own with naan or chapati.

Method:

Heat the coconut oil in a large, heavy bottomed (make the rocking world go round) pan. Add the chopped potato, onions and garlic. Stir and cover. Leave to sweat for about 7 mins, shaking the pan every so often so they don't stick. Add all the spices, turmeric,ginger, chilli and bell peppers. Stir. Chuck in the lentils and stir in half the stock or enough to cover all the ingredients.

Leave to simmer for about 20mins or until the veg is cooked and the lentils have absorbed the stock. Stir in the tomatoes and cook for another 20mins. Lastly, stir in the spinach and remove from the heat. Serve with heaps of coriander, yoghurt and lime and find Nirvana. Or watch the DVD. It's pretty good.



Sweet potato pancakes with a tahini, coconut and lime dressing

These are excellent for a weekend brunch and pretty delicious any other time of day too.

Serves 2/makes 6 pancakes.

Ingredients:

1 tsp coconut oil to cook
1 sweet potato, peeled boiled and mashed
2 flax/chia eggs eggs (1 tablespoon flax or chia seeds soaked in 2 tablespoons of water for 5 minutes)
1 tbsp coconut flour 
1 handful spinach, shredded
1 heaped tsp turmeric
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking soda
grated nutmeg

Diced ripe avocado to serve

For the dressing:
1 tbsp tahini
Juice of 1 lime
2 tsp coconut yoghurt 

Serve with chopped avocado, chopped coriander and a wedge of lime

Method:

Simply beat all the ingredients together in a bowl until well mixed and you have what resembles a pancake batter! Heat the oil in a frying pan and make patties in your hand with the mixture. Fry each side for approximately 2/3 mins or until firm and slightly browned.

For the dressing, put all three ingredients in a jam jar and shake it like a polaroid picture.

Stack 'em high and enjoy!


Roasted Butternut Squash, Sweet Potato and Coconut Soup

I made this delicious soup last night with the random items I had left in my fridge and boy was it good! So! Like a good foodie I wrote it all down before I forgot, so I could share it with you lovely folk.

Ingredients:

1 butternut squash, washed, deseeded and chopped into chunks 
1 sweet potato, peeled and cut into wedges
2 gloves garlic, chopped
1-2 litres stock
1 block creamed coconut
3 good handfuls of chopped kale
2tsp turmeric
1tsp cinnamon
1 tsp smoked paprika
2 tsp chilli flakes
2 tsp garlic and rosemary seasoning
Cracked black pepper

Method:

Pre-heat the oven to 200 Degrees C and melt a spoon of coconut oil in a roasting tin (enough to coat the base). Place the squash, sweet potato and garlic in the tin and add the smoked paprika, chilli flakes, garlic and rosemary seasoning, season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper. Give everything a good shake until the veg is coated in the spices and roast for about 20-30 mins until nice and soft. 

Transfer the veg to a hot, heavy bottomed pan and add enough stock to cover the veg, turmeric, cinnamon and creamed coconut. Put a lid on it and simmer for about 20 mins, stirring occasionally, until the block of creamed coconut has melted completely. Whizz in a blender or with a hand held one and if the soup is souper (sorry, not sorry) thick, add more stock. Return to a gentle heat and add the kale. Stir and simmer for another 5 minutes. 

I don't have a picture as I ate it all. 


Turmeric, ginger, Chia Porridge Oats

This is a great start to a cold morning. The chia seeds add protein to an otherwise carb-heavy meal and will keep you fuller for longer. The ginger and turmeric are warming, stimulating and great for digestion as well as their anti-inflammatory powers! 

Serves 2.

Ingredients:

1 cup jumbo rolled oats
1/2 cup hot water
1/2 cup milk of your choice (I use almond or brown rice milk)
2 tbsp chia seeds
1 small apple, grated
1 inch piece ginger. grated
1 heaped tsp turmeric powder

To top it off:
Coconut jam (If you've not tried this you need to) OR Blob almond butter
1 tsp raw honey or tsp organic black strap molasses
1tsp cinnamon
6 walnut halves (per person)
Coconut shavings

If you're feeling greedy/extra famished then whack the lot on!

Method:
I like to soak my oats and chia seeds in hot water for 20 mins (usually whilst in the shower. Myself, not the oats. They'd get soggy. DUH!!)
Heat up the oats and chia, add the ginger, turmeric and grated apple and stir often. As the mixture starts to thicken gradually add the milk until your porridge is the desired consistency. Some like it sloppy, others like it like wallpaper paste. Hey! Tomato, potato. 

Serve and stick on a few or as many toppings as your heart yearns for.

It's porridge. It's not supposed to be pretty!

Turmeric Latte

Lovely! Great instead of coffee (I'm trying to convince myself). Any time of day or night.

Ingredients (per person):
1 cup brown rice or almond milk (sweetened or vanilla)
1 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Cracked black pepper
whisk all the ingredients in a pan over a gentle heat or whizz up in a blender and then heat up in a milk pan.

Quick ideas:

Add a teaspoon of turmeric to hot chocolate, make a restorative drink with hot water, honey and lemon, add to smoothies, juices, coconut water with a squeeze of fresh lemon, stir-fries, rice pudding, bread mixture, cakes and bakes...




Useful links:
http://examine.com/supplements/curcumin/
www.planetorganic.com

Eat well. xx