Cardamom reminds me of chai tea, Aand chai tea reminds me of home. So when asked to bake treats for a late-fall picnic, how could I ignore the call to add a little of my favorite memory-invoking spice to tried and true oatmeal cookies?
While I feel it’s well worth adding cardamom to your food for the flavor alone, this spice packs some health-full benefits, too. An all around feel good ingredient.
BENEFITS OF CARDAMOM
Digestion – Cardamom is related to ginger and can be used in much the same way to counteract digestive problems. Use it to combat nausea, acidity, bloating, gas, heartburn, loss of appetite, constipation, and much more.
Detoxification – This spice helps the body eliminate waste through the kidneys.
Diuretic – Part of the reason cardamom is such a good detoxifier is thanks to the diuretic properties. It helps clean out the urinary tract, bladder, and kidneys, removing waste, salt, excess water, toxins, and combating infections too.
Antioxidant – Many of the vitamins, phytonutrients, and essential oils in cardamom act as antioxidants, cleaning up free radicals and resisting cellular aging.
Oral Health – Apart from helping with bad breath, cardamom is used for mouth ulcers and infections of the mouth and throat.
Blood Pressure – As a diuretic and fiber rich spice, cardamom significantly lowers blood pressure.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup ghee, softened at room temperature
- 1/2 cup chopped dry dates
- 1/2 cup Elemental Alchemy’s Masala Chai Spiced Honey (or natural alternative like maple syrup, raw cane sugar)
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cup rice, oat, or bran flour
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 2 tsp cardamom
- 3 cups rolled oats
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a large bowl, mix ghee, dates and Masala Chai Spiced Honey until creamed together. Beat in eggs. Add vanilla.
- In another bowl, stir together flour, rice, spices & salt.
- Add this dry mix to the to the ghee/honey mixture and stir well. Slowly add in the oats.
- Using a tablespoon, make 1.5″ dollops on a greased baking sheet, placed 2″ apart.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 9-12 minutes, until golden and slightly crunchy on top but soft in the center.
- Cool slightly then enjoy!
