In Saudi Arabia, this was a regular staple that was served at iftar gatherings and parties, and perhaps even sehri (my family wasn't too into it so I can't attest to that).
Nut milks are pretty traditional among ze Arabs. In medieval times, nut milks were highly promoted (via skywriting) by those wily Arab physicians--who, lest we forget, helped set the precedent for modern medicine.
Okay that was a terrible intro. Summary: I LOVE it and now that the Willsome Two (baba and baby) have given it their seal of approval, I am sharing it here. EVERYONE will likey, except those who won't. There's a solid guarantee for you.
Recipe (for 2 adults, and a Wonderment Cute)
Optional: Add 2 tspns of sugar (gasp!) if you're fed up of health and fasting and just want some damn good taste.
Option 2: Vanilla bean pods instead of cardamom
---
BEAUTY-RELATED SIDE NOTE:
The fine almond meal, after straining, actually works perfectly as a face exfoliant.
Peeled almond skins, are what my grandmother uses to make powder kohl (she burns it with a drop of almond oil, then grinds the resulting ashes with a mortar/pestle, and stores in a silver kohl jar). Apparently this is what they all used to do in my family, preferring it commercial kohl.
I'm not recommending this, as I tried it, and it HURT.
--
Benefits (the breakdown):
Tis the perfect beverage after a fast.
Almonds, especially when whole, have a potent combo of essential minerals (Ca, Mg, K), fiber, Vitamin E, and B vitamins to keep your nervous system un-jerky-loike (technical term). The best part is, especially with the skin on, it'll keep your blood sugar from spiking/crashing as can happen at iftaar if you go overboard. The fats aren't gonna suffocate your heart, either.
Note that your ALMONDS HAVE TO BE RAW AND ORGANIC. Here is an article from Dr. Mercola briefly stating why.
Dates? Well it's the Sunnah to break your fast with them, and for good reason. Quality dates, with the Vitamin K, iron and potassium, are great for your blood/heart. Then there's the calcium... Dates also have tons of minerals (K, Se, Mg, Zn, Mn...) which have various benefits for your hormones, muscles, immunity, etc. Lastly, fibre, as with the almonds!
Ginger combats inflammation and soothes the digestive organs (intestinal spasmolytic). Every major healing tradition has utilized ginger for its protective and immunity-boosting powerz. Its minerals keep the circulation going, it lowers cholesterol (like almonds), etc.
Ramadan-related benefit? Helps you feel satiated faster, so you don't guzzle down too much food and end up with un grand tummy-ache. Besides, we have to remember what Rasulullah (s.a.w) said about 1/3rd food, 1/3rd water, and 1/3rd air.
My dad regularly has ginger tea for his asthma and acidity. As my son also suffers from acid reflux, I try to use a bit of ginger in most meals.
--
More info
http://www.health-alternatives.com/fruit-nutrition-chart.html
http://foodfacts.mercola.com/ginger.html
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Selenium-HealthProfessional/ (to check profiles of minerals/vitamins)
http://diabetes.about.com/od/nutrition/a/The-Health-Benefits-Of-Almonds.htm
--
Bam! I quite enjoyed writing this.
If I have any kind of misinformation or wrong-itude going on in this post, please to comment and correct me.
Nut milks are pretty traditional among ze Arabs. In medieval times, nut milks were highly promoted (via skywriting) by those wily Arab physicians--who, lest we forget, helped set the precedent for modern medicine.
Okay that was a terrible intro. Summary: I LOVE it and now that the Willsome Two (baba and baby) have given it their seal of approval, I am sharing it here. EVERYONE will likey, except those who won't. There's a solid guarantee for you.
Recipe (for 2 adults, and a Wonderment Cute)
- 1 cup of almonds soaked and peeled (peeling is unnecessary, it only makes for a 'smoother' texture)
- -Powder this in a blender with a bit of water. Then either toast it slightly first, with a bit of coconut oil, or just add to...
- 4 cups waterboiled/simmered for 10 min, with 1 inch ginger, and a pinch of salt
- Add 1 cup of organic milk. Let simmer on low for 10-15 more minutes.
- Now strain if you prefer it be smooth (I don't, and the kind in Saudi are purposely kept on the 'textured' side). If you're not straining, remove the ginger piece and blend the resulting drink some more.
- In blender, pulverize 2 medjool dates, a small amount of unpeeled almonds (5 or so), with a pinch or two of cardamom seeds. OPTIONAL: Blend 1/3 banana too (baby likey).
- Top the drink with this and a shake of powdered ginger *FLAVOUR SAVER.* Let rest and steep (covered) for 10 minutes.
Optional: Add 2 tspns of sugar (gasp!) if you're fed up of health and fasting and just want some damn good taste.
Option 2: Vanilla bean pods instead of cardamom
---
BEAUTY-RELATED SIDE NOTE:
The fine almond meal, after straining, actually works perfectly as a face exfoliant.
Peeled almond skins, are what my grandmother uses to make powder kohl (she burns it with a drop of almond oil, then grinds the resulting ashes with a mortar/pestle, and stores in a silver kohl jar). Apparently this is what they all used to do in my family, preferring it commercial kohl.
I'm not recommending this, as I tried it, and it HURT.
--
Benefits (the breakdown):
Tis the perfect beverage after a fast.
Almonds, especially when whole, have a potent combo of essential minerals (Ca, Mg, K), fiber, Vitamin E, and B vitamins to keep your nervous system un-jerky-loike (technical term). The best part is, especially with the skin on, it'll keep your blood sugar from spiking/crashing as can happen at iftaar if you go overboard. The fats aren't gonna suffocate your heart, either.
Note that your ALMONDS HAVE TO BE RAW AND ORGANIC. Here is an article from Dr. Mercola briefly stating why.
Dates? Well it's the Sunnah to break your fast with them, and for good reason. Quality dates, with the Vitamin K, iron and potassium, are great for your blood/heart. Then there's the calcium... Dates also have tons of minerals (K, Se, Mg, Zn, Mn...) which have various benefits for your hormones, muscles, immunity, etc. Lastly, fibre, as with the almonds!
Ginger combats inflammation and soothes the digestive organs (intestinal spasmolytic). Every major healing tradition has utilized ginger for its protective and immunity-boosting powerz. Its minerals keep the circulation going, it lowers cholesterol (like almonds), etc.
Ramadan-related benefit? Helps you feel satiated faster, so you don't guzzle down too much food and end up with un grand tummy-ache. Besides, we have to remember what Rasulullah (s.a.w) said about 1/3rd food, 1/3rd water, and 1/3rd air.
My dad regularly has ginger tea for his asthma and acidity. As my son also suffers from acid reflux, I try to use a bit of ginger in most meals.
--
More info
http://www.health-alternatives.com/fruit-nutrition-chart.html
http://foodfacts.mercola.com/ginger.html
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Selenium-HealthProfessional/ (to check profiles of minerals/vitamins)
http://diabetes.about.com/od/nutrition/a/The-Health-Benefits-Of-Almonds.htm
--
Bam! I quite enjoyed writing this.
If I have any kind of misinformation or wrong-itude going on in this post, please to comment and correct me.
This sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteDefo gonna try it out :) xxx
www.misshijabi.co.nr