There are certain food combinations that rival pharmacy vitamin complexes in their biological value. This heart-healthy paste is prime proof of that. Despite being called a "porridge" in Russian, this dish requires no cooking; it's a thick, fragrant paste made from nuts and dried fruits. Traditionally, it's recommended to take one tablespoon on an empty stomach to support your body, but it also works wonderfully as a healthy snack. The golden hue of turmeric and the warming aroma of ginger make this blend not just healing, but a truly exquisite treat.
The finished heart-healthy paste is a treasure trove of vitamins. Serve it with tea or take a spoonful every morning to boost your immunity.
Ingredients
- 100 g (3.5 oz) walnuts
- 100 g (3.5 oz) dried apricots
- 100 g (3.5 oz) dates
- 100 g (3.5 oz) lemons
- 50 g (1.7 oz) honey
- 20 g (0.7 oz) fresh ginger
- Cinnamon and turmeric, to taste
Instructions
Wash the lemon thoroughly. Pour boiling water over it, let it sit for 5 minutes, and wash it thoroughly again. If citrus fruits don’t grow in your own garden, a meticulous wash is a must. Fruits are treated for storage, so if a recipe calls for the peel, washing is absolutely essential! Slice the scrubbed lemon, peel and all.
Slice the lemon with the peel on. Be sure to remove the seeds so the paste doesn’t taste bitter.
Soak the dried apricots in hot water for 5 minutes, wash them, and rinse with boiled water.
The dried apricots should be soaked beforehand and washed thoroughly to remove any commercial treatments.
Pit the dates. Wash the pitted dates thoroughly and rinse them with boiling water.
Remove the pits from the dates and rinse them with boiling water to keep them clean and soft.
Walnuts are no exception; they also need to be washed. Nuts and dried fruits might be stored improperly or treated to improve their appearance. It’s better to be safe and wash them.
Walnuts also need to be washed before being used in this healthy recipe.
Combine the lemon, walnuts, dates, and dried apricots in a bowl.
Combine all the prepped ingredients before grinding.
Scrape the ginger root with a vegetable peeler or a teaspoon. Cut the peeled root into thin slices and add it to the other ingredients.
Ginger root will give the paste a spicy kick and boost its health benefits.
Pass the ingredients through a meat grinder fitted with a fine plate. If you have a powerful blender or food processor, that works perfectly too.
Pass the mixture through a meat grinder. A fine plate will ensure a smoother, more delicate texture.
Add the honey to the ground mixture. Stir in half a teaspoon each of ground cinnamon and ground turmeric.
Add natural honey, cinnamon, and turmeric for aroma and maximum health benefits.
Mix the ingredients thoroughly and taste. If the apricots and dates aren’t sweet enough, you can add a little more honey.
Mix everything thoroughly so the spices and honey are evenly distributed throughout the paste.
Transfer the finished heart-healthy paste into a clean, dry jar with a tight-fitting lid. Store the paste in the refrigerator and try to consume it within a week. Freshness is always best for these types of blends.
Transfer the finished blend into a dry jar. Store the paste in the refrigerator to preserve all the vitamins.
This balanced mix of nuts and dried fruits turns the heart-healthy paste into a true powerhouse of benefits, strengthening the immune system and supporting hemoglobin levels. Dried apricots and walnuts are rich in potassium and magnesium, which are essential for stable heart function, while natural honey helps your body absorb all these components better. Keep its high calorie count in mind, though: nutritionists advise limiting yourself to a 1-ounce (30 g) portion per day to reap the maximum benefits without overloading your system.
To switch things up, try stirring a spoonful of the paste into your morning oatmeal or spreading it on whole-grain crispbread. If you want a more dessert-like flavor, you can add a bit of dark chocolate or swap the dates for prunes. Store the finished blend in a glass jar in the refrigerator for no more than a week—a freshly made batch retains far more active enzymes and essential oils from the ginger and lemon.
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