Aug28/22- how to use cumin for enhanced health...

My Moroccan visit this month consisted of lots of mint tea and CUMIN!

What comes to mind when you think of Moroccan food? I just spent 5 days there and was BLOWN away by not just the food but the health of the people! The food is not spicy, just full of flavor in the most antioxidant way possible!

Cumin, turmeric, garlic, onions, parsley and cilantro are the top herbs. Tajine is the name of their main dish that everyone, and I mean everyone eats. It’s the name of the terracotta pot that they cook in EVERYWHERE but also the name of the dish. 

Tajine is a meat dish of chicken, lamb or beef cooked to perfection with all those flavourful spices and herbs I just mentioned. What I noticed about the people in the city and the people in the mountains was the SAME, they all love their Tajine’s!

We cook basically the same dishes in North America, chicken, beef, rice, even couscous but we don’t use the herbs and spices the same way.
Cooking with more powerful spices such as cumin will add a subtle but powerful flavor to your dishes.

One must wonder if its the daily use of cumin that makes the people of Morocco healthy but they don’t really drink alcohol either and I hardly saw anyone smoking but they sure loved their food! Eating their biggest meal of the day at lunch and closing their shops in the afternoon to nap (even the professionals left work to take a 1.5hr nap) is a thing and would be unheard of in North America!

Let’s discuss CUMIN…

Cancer
Cumin is one of the most anti-carcinogen plants that has been studied for colon cancer. High antioxidants, benefits digestion, immune system and circulation. Helps with diarrhea and also studied for hypoglycemia and diabetes.

Immune System
Cumin oil has been studied to kill strains of bacteria that are resistant to other antiseptics. Researchers believe that cumin could help kill harmful bacteria that’s trying to attack your immune system.

Heart Disease
A dietary supplement of cumin powder mixed in yogurt helped reduce cholesterol and an easy way to get in your daily dose of cumin! It’s all about consistency!

IBS and GI discomfort
Studies show cumin extract used for treating the cramps, digestive spasms, nausea, and bloating associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was SO effective that it can be used as a replacement for people who cannot afford expensive prescription drugs to treat their IBS.

Parkinson’s and Memory
Cumin has been found to stimulates the nervous system and a sharper memory! There is even talk about its effectiveness with Parkinson’s! I noticed the elderly in Morocco are super sharp and able to climb/hike to their homes. Cumin may be the secret!

Chicken Tajine
This is a super easy dish, nothing fancy but its the combination of spices that really give this dish a lovely flavor, not spicy, just delicious!  You could serve this dish with rice, coucous or even potatoes! The sauce is just that good! Give this a try!

Ingredients:

• 1lb of chicken breasts or thighs
• 1/2 red onion finely chopped
• 1/2 lemon, cut into wedges
• 10 olives, optional
• 2 garlic cloves (crushed or chopped)
• 1tbsp of fresh parsley finely chopped
• 1 tbsp of fresh cilantro finely chopped
• 1 tsp of ghee or butter
• 1 tbsp of olive oil
• 1 cup cold water

Spices

• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp ginger
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp cumin
• pinch of saffron if you have it

In a heavy stoneware pot (or a Tajine if you have one) or even a deep frying pan add the olive oil, butter, garlic, parsley, cilantro, all the spices and a cup of cold water and mix well. Add the chicken, mix again then add the red onion and lemon, mix again until the chicken is coated.

Cook covered in the oven at 350, or in your pan for about 30 min or until your chicken is done and the sauce is nice and thick. If you need to add more water to thin out the sauce then do that as well. The people of Morocco love their olives so they would add the olives at the end which is optional of course.

Cooking is an art and sometimes you just need to go with it so try adding this combination of spices to your next dish. I would use this recipe for fish or shrimp as well! The flavours are amazing!

Thank you for following my journey to writing a book series!
Stay balanced,
LeeAnna