By Carrie Forrest of Clean Eating Kitchen
My healthy eating journey has had a ton of ups and downs, including a diagnosis of thyroid cancer in 2012. I always tell people that the “secret weapon” during my recovery was making green smoothies in my Blendtec almost every day.
I've also dealt with food intolerances and autoimmune disease, so I have to be careful with foods like dairy and gluten. Most of all, I find that choosing real, whole foods and practicing stress management are a strong base for my healthier life.
That said, I’m such a foodie and have a real sweet tooth. So, I’ve made it a point to experiment with desserts that have a superfood twist. Turmeric is one of those superfoods getting a lot of attention lately. Studies show that the active compound in turmeric, called curcumin, has been shown to reduce inflammation (1).
Turmeric is a root, but it’s most often seen in its dried, ground form. It’s most recognizable as the bright pigment in mustard. Turmeric has a unique flavor, and can be used in both savory and sweet dishes.
In this easy dessert recipe, I use whole chia seeds that get blended with almond milk and dates into a dairy-free but very creamy pudding. The delicate flavor of turmeric combines nicely with the ground cinnamon, and a pinch of black pepper enhances the anti-inflammatory properties of the turmeric.
This is such an easy and health-promoting recipe, even kids will love a bite!
TURMERIC SPICE CHIA PUDDING
Makes 4 servings
Yield 2 1/2 cups
INGREDIENTS
2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
4 tablespoons chia seeds
4 Medjool dates, pitted
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground turmeric
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
DIRECTIONS
- Combine the almond milk, chia seeds, dates, vanilla extract, cinnamon, turmeric, and black pepper in the Blendtec Twister jar and secure gripper lid.
- Blend on a high speed for 15-20 seconds, or until the ingredients are combined.
- Pour the mixture into a glass jar and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the pudding to set.
- Serve cold.
- J Cell Physiol. 2017 Jan 6. doi: 10.1002/jcp.25778. [Epub ahead of print]Therapeutic Effects of Curcumin in Inflammatory and Immune-Mediated Diseases: ANature-Made Jack-of-All-Trades? Abdollahi E, Momtazi AA, Johnston TP, Sahebkar A.