A recipe for cold & windy days ahead...

 

 

Winter is coming on.  Today, it is cold and blustery – a good day to stay warm and keep your body and soul wrapped in warm soft clothing.  A good day also to feed your self food that warms you and helps keep inflammation in check and helps to reduce pain and stiffness.

 On cold, windy days like today, what comes to my mind is warm herbs and spices to use in cooking.   One herb that the I am thinking of  is turmeric.  What a wonder gift this herb is for anyone that has fibromyalgia, arthritis or any type of joint pain or stiffness.

 

Turmeric is an herb that is native to India.  Many families in India still use it in paste form to apply to wound to speed healing.  Turmeric made into tea is used for many ailments from colds to respiratory problems.  Turmeric contains curcumin which is a compound that has potent antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties. It is also being studied for its potential in helping with treatment and possible prevention of cancer.  It appears to have anti- tumor properties.  Like I say, what a miraculous herb. 

 I found this recipe for Golden Turmeric Latkes with Applesauce – It is wonderful!  The recipe comes from December, 2010 issue of Eating Well magazine.  The latkes are yummy and just perfect to help us stay warm and be less painful on cold days.   

Remember, to check out ValleyHealthandWellnesss.com  and the Fibromyalgia Pain Management Kit for more information on how to use foods to treat pain.  Chapter 1 of the book has many food tips for you.  The book is now in E-Book format and is available at Lulu, Barnes and Noble  -Nook and at the ibookstore.
 

Here is the receipe:

Golden Turmeric Latkes with Applesauce

Sauce

            1 tablespoon canola oil

            2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger

            ½ teaspoon ground turmeric

            ½ teaspoon ground cloves

            1 cup unsweetened applesauce

Latkes

            2 cups shredded peeled russet potatoes

            1 small onion, finely chopped

            1-2 fresh green Serrano chiles, stemmed and finely chopped (Protect your eyes)

            3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves

             ½ cup of unbleached all purpose flour

            1 teaspoon ground cumin

            1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt

            ½ teaspoon ground turmeric

            2 large eggs, slightly beaten

            1 tablespoons canola oil, divided

 

1.  To prepare sauce:  Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a small skillet over medium high heat.  Add ginger and cook, stirring, until light brown and aromatic, 30 second to 1 minute.  Stir in turmeric and cloves.  Cook until the herbs are fragrant, 30 seconds or 1 minute more.  Scrape the herbs into the apple sauce in a small bowl and stir well to combine.

2.  Preheat oven to 200 degree F.  Place a baking sheet in the oven.

3.  To prepare the latkes:  Thoroughly mix potatoes, onions, chiles to taste, (making as hot as you desire), cilantro, flour, cumin, salt, turmeric and eggs in a large bowl.

4.  Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat.  Place a heaping tablespoon of the potato mixture in the skillet and flatten with a spatula into a disk roughly 3 inches in diameter.  Form as many latkes as you can in the pan without overcrowding.  Cook until golden brown and crispy.  3 to 5 minutes.  Briefly drain on a paper towel-lined plate, and then transfer to the oven to keep warm.  Repeat with the remaining oil and mixture.

5.  Serve with latkes with the seasoned apple sauce.

 

The latkes keep in the refrigerator, just reheat and enjoy.

Per serving:  187 calories, 9g of fat (1g sat, 5g mono) 71 mg cholesterol, 22g carbohydrate, 0g added sugars, 5g protein, 3g fiber, 221mg sodium, 327mg potassium.

 

If you have the Fibromyalgia Pain Management Kit, you can fill in your daily planner that is in Chapter 1 and to start seeing results of how different foods and weather affect your energy, your mood and your pain.

 Next week, I am going to talk more about weather, weather changes and how mother nature affects our bodies and our pain.

 Till then -

 Maryalyce McCabe, ND, RN, HNB-BC

Naturopath