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November 30, 2007

Sunflower butter

Tahini (sesame seed butter) is an excellent food for Vata, and common in vegetarian food the world over, but tahini is too hot for Pita and to too heavy for Kapha. Consider replacing tahini with sunflower butter for all the dosha to enjoy.

You can buy sunflower butter in some health food stores, but it's often got some of the usual commercial additions and a lot of value adding. So have a go at making it yourself.

First toast sunflower seeds in a dry medium hot fry pan. When they begin to pop and smell delicious, restrain from eating them. Put them into the food processor whilst they are still hot (or mortar and pestle for a bit of exercise). Grind them very well to a fine powder. Now add a dash of sunflower oil or melted ghee and blend. Add a dash more and blend again until the mixture begins to come together. You may need to scrape the powder off the sides of the mixer to try and combine it all. When it does come together get a spoon or your hands involved and mix it thoroughly.

Add a pinch of salt if you like, I do, and store in a sealed jar in the fridge for a few days. Spread on hot chapati for a very good morning, or use where ever you would use peanut butter or tahini.

Sunflower seeds are cooling, light and just a little oily. Good for all constitutions, and provides the often missed B12 to a vegetarian diet.

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