5-MINUTE STEWED BANANAS

5 minutes, 2 servings

INGREDIENTS

• 2 ripe bananas, peeled and chopped

• 1-2 dates, pitted and chopped

• 1/4 tsp cardamom, freshly ground

• Dash of cinnamon powder

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract or paste

• Dash of salt

• Splash of water or ghee

DIRECTIONS

1. Add all the ingredients to a small pot over medium heat with a splash (1-2 tbsp) or water or 1 tsp of ghee.

2. Heat until the bananas are soft, browned, and warmed through (about 2-5 minutes).

3. Enjoy! - option to top with hemp seeds, walnuts, and/or serve over fresh yogurt (thin your yogurt out with a splash of water, pinch of freshly ground cardamom, and sweetener of choice), oatmeal, chia pudding, pancakes or whatever you'd like!
   

#kidfriendly #vata #pitta #kapha #spring #fall #summer #winter

Notes

• We've all been there when the bananas start ripening up and you don't know whether to throw them away or make banana bread. And you don't really want to do either. So do this instead!

• You can technically make this in any season, but it is probably best in the summer and fall since bananas are cooling, grounding, and sometimes mucus forming.

• Banana and dairy? Not an ideal combination and not recommended in Ayurveda. But with this recipe, it can work. Why? Because we stewed the bananas, added spices (cardamom and cinnamon - assuming these are quality spices with the cardamom freshly ground), and if pairing with yogurt - you are making the yogurt more digestible by thinning it out with water and adding a pinch of freshly ground cardamom. This is a way to antidote the poor food pairing.

• I was inspired to make this recipe after a mom told me her 18-month-old had barely slept in 3 weeks due to teething and a sleep regression. I gave her some things to try, this was one of them. Both bananas and dates have a downward cooling action on the body - this aides in sleep, especially with falling asleep. It also aides in digestion, inflammation, and just general calmness, especially in overheated conditions.

• You can make any stewed fruit using this same process - sub peaches, berries, pears, or whatever you'd like!