Lovely Prune Pudding

This unassuming fruit is actually a power house of nutrition and is packed with fiber. Here are some of the benefits of enjoying prunes followed by a simple but yummy recipe. Enjoy xx

The Benefits of Eating Prunes

Relieves Constipation

Full of antioxidants

High in vitamins

Good source of iron

Protects Against Osteoporosis

Reduces cholesterol levels

Lowers blood pressure.

Good for the heart

Lovely Prune Pudding Recipe

Ingredients

12 pitted prunes

1-2 tablespoons rice syrup (optional)

Pinch sea salt

1 ½ cups spring water plus a little more

1 teaspoon powdered cinnamon

1 generous tablespoon kuzu diluted in a little cold water

Almond or oat cream or amasake

 

Preparation

Place prunes into a bowl and cover with 1 1/2 cups of boiling water. Let stand for 1 hour.

Remove the prunes but save the liquid.

Cut the prunes into small pieces.

Add more hot water to the reserved prune water so it totals 1 ½  cup.

Place prunes and prune water into a saucepan and add the rice syrup, sea salt and powdered cinnamon. Stir to combine.

Bring to a boil on a medium flame and then simmer for 10 minutes.

Add the diluted kuzu to the prune mixture and cook over low heat for a few minutes, stirring constantly, to thicken the mixture.

Ladle the pudding into small bowls.

Let cool, then chill in the refrigerator.

Serve cold with almond or oat cream or amasake.

Agar Agar Power

Agar Agar Power

Agar agar literally means Cold Heaven and is a gelatinous substance that is comes from the cell walls of the red seaweeds Tengusa (Gelidiaceae) or Ogonori (Gracilaria). It is often used as an alternative to animal dirived gelatine.

As  Agar agar is low in calories, carbohydrates, fats, and sugar, it is an ideal addition to any weight loss plan. Agar agar is also an appetite suppressant as it consists of water-soluble, indigestible fibre.  The fiber absorbs water giving a feeling of fullness and making  it easier for people to lower their food intake. Agar agar also absorbs glucose in the stomach and passes it quickly through the digestive system. This helps to stabilise blood sugar and block the storage of fat

The Kanten diet in Japan is used by women who want to maintain or lose weight. They simply add a teaspoon of the agar agar powder to tea or hot water and have it before every meal.

The soluble fibre in Agar agar also absorbs toxins from the gastrointestinal tract and moves the waste easily out of the body. It is often used as a remedy for constipation as the fibre in Agar Agar forms bulk by absorbing the water in the gut. This acts as a healthy and natural laxative.

Agar agar contains both calcium and magnesium and the combination is excellent for increasing bone density and for bone health in general.

Agar agar also contains galactose which is commonly known as “brain sugar”. Galactose could play a vital part in removing neurotoxic compounds from the brain in patients that suffer from Alzheimer's disease”.

Fresh berry aspic with agar agar

Agar agar often replaces gelatin in cooking. It can be used to make healthy and delicious jellies, mousses, ice cream, jams and to thicken soups and stews. Agar agar comes in bars, flakes or powder form. A special infusion for constipation consists of agar agar disolved in boiling water and sweetened with rice syrup.

Here is the Recipe for Agar tea

 Place a little more than 1 cup of spring water in a saucepan and bring to the boil.

Add a tablespoon of Agar-agar flakes or one teaspoon of Agar-agar powder.

 Simmer on a low flame and stir continuously until the flakes have melted 

and the liquid becomes clear.

Add a tablespoon of rice syrup and drink warm.

Good for

Constipation

Bloating and gas

Weight management

Relaxing and cooling for the body

Grain Coffee Mousse using agar agar

I highly recommend everyone have agar agar in their kitchens and have a go at adding it to simple mousses, puddings, and savory aspics. You will love the results.

Enjoy 

Love Melanie xx