Two Delightful Recipes with a Touch of Clove!

Cloves are tiny reddish, brown, unopened flower buds that are picked by hand then dried. The flesh of the clove features an oily compound eugenol, essential to their medicinal and nutritional profile. Clove gives a warming sweetness flavor to our body. Spicing up a variety of cuisines: Russia, Scandinavia, Greece, India and China!

What is it good for? Starting in the Middle Ages, its pungent flavor was used to mask the taste of poorly preserved foods. Isn’t that interesting? This spice was not only used to trick our taste buds though, it is shown to provide antioxidants which can protect cells from future damage or strengthen cells that have been destroyed. Manganese, a trace mineral that is also found in cloves, can reduce blood sugar and support bone growth. Additional benefits such as calming to the skin, relieves anxiety, fights against germs, good for oral care, and useful for respiratory infections.

Tips- Good quality whole cloves will release oil when scratched with a fingernail. Many use ground cloves, but loses its flavor and its medicinal benefits fast. Try adding a dash of clove to your morning coffee, muffins, stir-fry, soups, & broths.

Lavender Chai Tea

Ingredients

3 1/4 cups water, 3 black tea bags or 3 Tbs loose, 1 large or 2 small cinnamon sticks, 8 whole cloves, 6 peppercorns, 1 tsp culinary lavender, 1/4 tsp ginger powder or 1/2 inch piece fresh slice, 1/4 tsp cardamom or 3 whole pods lightly crushed, dash of nutmeg, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 1/4 cup pure maple syrup

Instructions

Bring 3 cups water to boil, add tea, cinnamon, cloves, peppercorns, lavender, ginger, cardamom, & nutmeg. Turn heat to low & simmer for 15 minutes. Turn off heat & let cool for 10 minutes. Remove tea bags. Add vanilla & maple syrup, give a good stir! Strain out the large ingredients & place in a container of choice. In a glass or mug, pour tea concentrate to about 1/3-1/2 full, fill remaining with water or your choice of milk (hemp, coconut, almond, cashew). You can enjoy this refreshing beverage over ice on a Summer afternoon or served warm on a chilly morning. Store leftover tea in the refrigerator, use within one week.

Coconut Clove Balls (dairy & gluten free)

Ingredients

1/2 cup almond milk, 1/2 cup raw honey, 2 Tbs coconut oil, 7 oz sweetened flacked coconut, 1/4 tsp ground cloves, 1/8 tsp salt, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 1 cup raw unsalted cashew pieces, unsweetened coconut for rolling

Instructions

In a saucepan, heat the almond milk, honey, coconut oil, coconut, ground cloves, & salt until boiling. Reduce heat & simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat & stir in the vanilla & cashew pieces. Let it cool until just warm. Transfer mixture to a food processor & process until the cashews are ground up & mixture flows freely, but don't over process. Transfer to a container (or covered bowl) & refrigerate until throughly chilled. Roll Tbs sized balls in coconut. Keep chilled until ready to serve.

Mia Martinek, N.C.

Recipe provided by Linda Etherton

Curtis, Susan., Johnson, Fran., Thomas Pat., (2016). Essential Oils: All-natural remedies and recipes for your mind, body, and home. New York; NY.

Murray, M. & Pizzorno, J. E., (2005). “The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods”. New York: ATRIA.