Avanti Cafe Musings: cinnamon

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Avanti Spice Blends :: Golden Spice & Hawaij ::

Avanti Golden Spice Blend & Hawaij :: Spice blends for health, flavor & speed in the kitchen

There is so much chemistry in cooking, and there’s chemistry in the combining of flavors too. So when combining spices we should ponder the chemistries of both Health & Flavor. Here are some recipes for Avanti signature spice blends that will make cooking in your kitchen fast, flavorful & full of phyto-nutrients. Whip up some spice blends based upon your tastes and nutritional target interests and reach for one jar instead of several when it’s time to cook up a meal.

Let’s start w/ two versions of Avanti Golden Spice, based on health food principles from India. Ayurveda has known about the power of turmeric for centuries. The holistic communities around the world have known foods’ abilities to heal and keep us young for quite some time. Modern medicine just discovered it yesterday. It’s positive to see science and tradition coming together. These blends are all made up of ground spices. Choose the best quality and freshest sources of ground spices you can find.

Golden Spice, Simple Blend

Amount	Measure	Ingredient	Prep Method
1 ½	Cups	Turmeric
1	Cup	Fenugreek powder
¼	Cup	Asafoetida	Optional
¼	Cup	Paprika

Directions:

Combine all. Makes 3 cups total. Store in a glass container, in a dark cabinet.

Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, liver cleanse are just a few of the many healthful properties of turmeric. Fenugreek nurtures the cardiovascular system and kidneys, reduces symptoms of menstrual discomfort and menopause, and may help to stave off diabetes. Asafoetida treats headaches, respiratory disorders & strengthens the stomach. It has a bitter taste, so perhaps start w/ less than the recipe calls for, until you acquire a taste for it. You’ll learn to like it’s potent fragrance & strong flavor. Paprika is loaded w/ vitamins A, E & B6, iron & capsaicin. It’s a natural anti-bacterial.

Here’s a more complex blend. This gives you added spices for more healthful properties & flavor.

Golden Spice, Ginger Blend

Amount	Measure	Ingredient	Prep Method
¾	Cup	Turmeric
½	Cup	Fenugreek powder
½	Cup	Coriander powder
¼	Cup	Asafetida
1/8	Cup	Paprika	Not smoked
1/8	Cup	Ginger powder

Directions:

Combine all. Store in a glass container, in a dark cabinet.

Coriander has been studied for its beneficial effects on the nervous system, blood sugar & insulin. Ginger is a potent anti inflammatory. Inflammation leads to a host of illnesses and DIS-ease. In addition ginger has impacts on arthritis, brain health, infection and more.

All of these spices are considered anti-cancer compounds.

I use some of the sea salt lime brine from the process of making Moroccan Preserved Limes w/ a hearty dash of Avanti Golden Spice in a glass of sparkling water to start the day w/ a hearty, energizing full body cleanse. Add a wee fresh chili too to great the dawn!

Now let’s move to the Middle East for a tantalizing curry like spice blend, as fun to taste as it is to say, Hawaij

Hawaij Avanti

Amount	Measure	Ingredient	Prep Method
2 ½	Cups	Ginger	Ground
2/3	Cup	Cinnamon	Ground
½	Cup	Cardamom	Ground
2/3	Cup	Cloves	Ground
½	Cup	Paprika	Ground
2	Tablespoons	Lemon peel powder	POWDER
3	Tablespoons	Orange peel powder	POWDER
¼	Cup	Turmeric	Ground
¼	Cup	Fenugreek	Ground

Directions:

Combine all in a glass container. Store in a dark cabinet.

Cinnamon is known to regulate blood sugar, boost brain function & improve colon health. Cardamom helps control cholesterol, boosts mood & supports gastrointestinal health. Cloves are a potent anti bacterial, support the liver & bones. Citrus peel powders are available in quality spice shops and online. They add flavor & digestive health benefits. We’ve used both orange peel & lemon peel powder in this fragrant version of Hawaij.

Whip up a batch of these great blends and use them daily. A little spice in w/ anything makes for a tasty meal in minutes. Make some fun labels & bag or jar up these fragrant wonder spices for gifts and stocking stuffers. You’ll give the gift of flavor & health to everyone you know and for pennies a packet.

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Eating Healthy & Delicious is a Win Win Win Situation!

Eat, Live & Party Well

Blog post by Chef Mark Cleveland

Avanti is the longstanding leader in organic, sustainable, local, flavorful cuisine in Orange County, CA.

Meaning 'forward' in Italian, Avanti Natural is a culinary philosophy that integrates the best of traditional European and Asian healthful eating with the latest nutritional information for optimum health.

At Avanti Natural, we believe that you don't have to sacrifice taste to eat healthy. You can Eat Well & Live Well. Follow us on social media to see what Avanti is up to now. We are Whole Foods Experts. Post photos of your versions of Avanti Natural recipes on our Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram pages. Check our blog on the website for how to recipe blogs. We’re excited to see and share your culinary creativity!

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Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Matcha Master Chia Pudding Power Breakfast :: An Avanti Chia Pudding ::

Avanti Natural Matcha Master Chia Pudding is easy to prepare in individual glasses or mason jars

Build your puddings directly in an on the rocks glass or mason jar. Into each glass add the following

Amount	Measure	Ingredient	Prep Method
2 ½	Teaspoons	Chia seeds
1	Teaspoon	Sesame seeds	I like ‘em black
1	Teaspoon	Pepitas
1	Teaspoon	Hemp seed
¼	Cup	Crushed fresh fruit	Berries, banana, pears, etc
½	Medium	Meyer lemon	Juice and zest
½	Teaspoon	Fresh ginger	Microplane
½	Teaspoon	Apple cider vinegar
¾	Cup	Favorite fruit juice	Grapefruit, oj, pineapple
½ ~ 1	Teaspoon	Matcha
1	Pinch	Chili flakes	Optional
1	Pinch	Cinnamon	Optional
1	Pinch	Cacao	Optional
½	Teaspoon	Miso	Optional
		Sea salt	To taste

NOTE: Learn more about the many benefits of Chia Seeds, Pepitas, Matcha & Miso NOW! Google any of the other ingredients to find out more about the amazing health benefits of food.

Chia seeds are low in calorie, high in fiber, protein, minerals and antioxidant nutrients, especially minerals like calcium, phosphorus & magnesium. They plump up into a pleasing gooey texture when
soaked in water, tea or juice

Directions:

Combine all in as many glasses or jars as you wish to make. The recipe above is the amount you put into EACH glass or pint jar. The recipe makes about 1 full cup of pudding, but I use a pint jar in case I want to be generous w/ some of the ingredients. Cover and refrigerate overnight. This chia pudding is not too thick, nor too sweet. It makes a great power breakfast.

Incorporate friendly probiotics and elements of the Master Cleanse for maintaining happy gut health

Along w/ the caffeine and green tea goodness from the matcha, you get a myriad of protein and essential oils from the seed mixture. This concoction also contains elements from the Master Cleanse as well.

Matcha is also becoming more available here in the US. It’s a tasty, somewhat bitter form of green tea

The living and natural probiotics in the cider vinegar and miso fortify the gut w/ friendly bacteria. You’ll find you can’t wait to start the day w/ this energy powerhouse.

Vary the fruits and juices for maximum flavor and nutrition

If you like it thicker, use 3 Tablespoons of chia seed per glass. You can make up enough for the week, varying the fruit and juices for flavor interest. They keep in the fridge for up to a week.