Raspberries and blueberries are loaded with salicylic acid—the same heart disease–fighting and pain–numbing compound found in aspirin. However, unlike aspirin, which can increase inflammation, berries are deliciously anti–inflammatory. I created this dish with my nephew Kaydn in mind, as he’s on kidney dialysis and must stay on a nourishing low–sodium diet.
Look for apple juice sold in a glass jar, as the canned juice often contains toxic heavy metals and plastics leached from the can.
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups (500 mL) apple juice
1/4 cup (60 mL) agar flakes
1/4 cup (60 mL) arrowroot flour or kudzu root powder
3/4 cup (185 mL) unpasteurized liquid honey
4 cups (1 L) blueberries
1 cup (250 mL) crushed pecans
1 cup (250 mL) raspberries
DIRECTIONS:
1. Bring apple juice and agar to a gentle boil in an uncovered pot.
2. As soon as the juice comes to a boil, turn heat to medium and cook for 3 minutes to dissolve the agar. Meanwhile, whisk the arrowroot flour or kudzu powder into the honey in a medium–sized bowl.
3. When agar is fully dissolved, pour the honey and arrowroot/kudzu mixture into the pot. Whisk until thick, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Add blueberries and mix well.
4. Line a 10–inch (25 cm) pie plate with crushed pecans. Pack down nuts with a spoon as much as possible before adding pie filling. The nuts will form the bottom of the pie but won’t stick together like a traditional pie crust. Pour blueberry mixture into pie plate and top with fresh raspberries for garnish. Refrigerate for 2 hours until set.
Makes 8 to 12 servings.
Legend:
Excerpted from Meals That Heal Inflammation by Julie Daniluk, R.H.N. Copyright © 2011 by Daniluk Consulting. Photographs Copyright © 2011 by Julie Daniluk. Excerpted by permission of Random House Canada. All rights reserved.
JULIE DANILUK, RHN, hosts Healthy Gourmet, a reality cooking show that airs on OWN (the Oprah Winfrey Network). Julie has appeared on The Dr. Oz Show, The Right Fit and The Marilyn Denis Show. Julie has been a co-operative owner of one of Canada’s largest health food stores, The Big Carrot. She creates one healthy recipe a week for Chatelaine.