Large, Thin, Very Gingerly Oat Cookies

I know I'm posting too much sweet food lately, but if not at this festive time, when to publish recipes for cookies? It is difficult however to find meaning in posting a recipe for oatmeal cookies, since it is so easy to find any kind of oat cookie recipes. As a fan of oatmeal, I make them sweet and salty, with chocolate chips, raisins, dried fruit, or just plain. Playing with various ingredients I came across this combination this summer and made them many time since then. The reason is mainly the healthy ingredients and nutritional value that makes them very convenient breakfast on the go. They do not contain flour, but only oatmeal. Another reason is that they are very large and thin and are therefore slightly different from other cookies I make and for that reason my children are very fond of them. If you have not yet prepared such thin cookies I believe you will find interesting this simple technique of making them. Although these are everyday biscuits, you can add them as a little healthier addition to your holiday cookies collection.

Dates Stuffed with Ginger & Almonds

“As a healthy dessert, snack, or hors d'ouvres, stuffed dates are a multifaceted treat. Better make a double batch!” Is said about stuffed dates on ayurvedic website Joyful Belly where I got the idea for this recipe. Instead of crystallized ginger from the original recipe I made something like ginger jam so that the filling is firmer and stuffed dates can last for days. Here is more explanation from the original recipe: “Fall is the time of year to sweeten the blood. Dates and almonds nourish the blood plasma carrying sugars, fats, and proteins to nourish all cells, essential for helping the body prepare for colder days ahead. Dates and almonds, like most nourishing foods, are heavier to digest and should be paired with spices like ginger to stimulate the stomach and circulation.”
If you like healthy and healing foods, make a note of this recipe as a healthier alternative to Christmas cookies.

Granola with Ginger and Almonds

Recipe:

3 cups oats
1 cup almonds, chopped
2 tablespoon finely grated ginger
½ tsp salt
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1/3 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup honey


In a large bowl mix all ingredients with wooden spoon. Transfer the mixture onto a large greased baking sheet. Bake at 325F for 30 minutes. Stir once after 15 minutes. Cool on tray. When completely cool store in an airtight container. Serve with yogurt and/or fresh fruits.

Ginger Beer

This is Jamie Oliver style Ginger Beer or what he calls “Easy Peasy Ginger Beer”. I just measured the amounts a little bit different, as you can do too, because as Jamie says “these amounts are always a little variable so just follow your own taste”. I became addicted to this drink ever since the first time I have tried it. Jamie Oliver says he “can’t think of anything more sexy than having a big pitcher of iced ginger beer on the table with a barbecue on a hot day".

Detox Ginger-Lemonade

This is a great way to enjoy ginger and its healing properties as often and as simple as possible. You will need several roots of ginger peeled and cut in smaller pieces. Juice the ginger in your juicer and pour the juice in an ice tray. Freeze it. When you wish your ginger drink, melt a cube of iced ginger in water, add some freshly squeezed lemon (or lime) juice and sweeten it with honey to your taste.