Growing up, I can remember the warm smell of my Nanijan’s (grandmother’s) masala chai every evening at tea time. That was the sweet smell and ritual of teatime, where the whole family gathered. She would often bake something special as well.
The flavor of masala chai (since I don’t drink black tea) is something I wanted to bring into our foods outside of black tea. I created masala chai pancakes for my girls, and the scent takes me right back to my childhood and the feeling of gathering with the whole family at tea time.
I have adjusted an old Swedish pancake recipe but added masala chai’s delicious, melt-in-your-mouth flavor. Not only that, check out the amazing healing properties of the ingredients…these masala chai pancakes are a “feel-good” meal you can truly feel good about eating!
Apples
Apples have incredible anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce your viral and bacterial load. The phytochemicals in apples are quite literally brain food – feeding neurons and increasing electrical activity. In addition, they contain phytochemicals that are responsible for heavy metal and radiation detoxification, as well as glutamine and serine–amino acids that help remove MSG from the brain. A true brain food!
Red apples, in particular, are a very alkaline fruit that can quench thirst on a cellular level by providing living water to support the liver’s ability to hydrate.
Equally important, the fruit acids in apples (malic and tartaric acids) help cleanse the liver by dispersing toxic films that build up inside the liver’s storage banks. Furthermore, apples starve out bacteria, yeast, mold, other funguses, and viruses from the liver. This makes red apples an incredible liver detoxifier.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon has the highest antioxidant strength of all food sources – far exceeding that of any fruit or vegetable. This potent spice has been known to help shorten the duration of the flu and get rid of congestion and mucus from the body. Additionally, it can help stop yeast infections, candida, and menstrual cramps.
Cinnamon has excellent anti-cancer properties and has been shown to help reduce the growth of leukemia and lymphoma cells within the body.
The smell of cinnamon alone can help make you more alert and focused, as it boosts memory and cognitive function.
Ginger
Ginger contains powerful anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols that reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling. While ginger is an amazing spice that naturally heals both inflammation and infection, ginger is best known for its incredible ability to heal digestive upset and nausea. For centuries, ginger has been used to safely ease indigestion, menstrual cramps, motion sickness, and heartburn. Isn’t it amazing that a spice we take for granted to give our foods a warm, deliciously spicy flavor can contain so many healing properties?
Maple Syrup
The combination of minerals and glucose in maple syrup makes it vital to the liver – an instant fuel source.
“It’s like an IV for the liver containing the best of both worlds: a vast array of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients (many of them still undiscovered) coupled with high-quality sugar on which the liver thrives.”
Anthony William, Liver Rescue
Gluten-Free Masala Chai Pancakes Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup Bob's Red Mills Gluten Free All purpose Flour
- 1 cup Oat Flour
- 2 Tbsp baking powder (aluminum free)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder
- ½ tsp ground cardamom
- ¼ tsp clove powder
- ⅔ cup unsweetened apple sauce
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla powder
- ½ cup plant milk (almond milk, coconut milk lite, oat milk)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla powder, and cloves.
- Then add in the apple sauce, maple syrup and plant milk and mix until it becomes an even, smooth batter.
- Heat a large non-stick skillet or a pancake griddle (I like this one by GreenPan or this one by Zojirushi) to medium.
- Pour your batter in 1/3 cup measurements (or however much you prefer) onto the skillet or griddle. I like to use a baker’s funnel as it prevents mess and drips and allows you to pour out the exact amount of batter for each pancake. Using a spatula, spread the batter to make it a little flatter. You do not need oil to cook this recipe. Especially on the griddle, it cooks up beautifully.
- Cook until browned on both sides and stack on a plate.
- Serve with maple syrup and sprinkled cinnamon (or another spice of your choosing)
For more recipes your children will love, check out my Flourish Kids Recipe Book.
Included in this book are:
- Drinks: 7 Recipes
- Smoothies and Breakfast: 20 Recipes
- Snacks, Sides and Appetizers: 11 Recipes
- Soups and Salads: 5 Recipes
- Desserts: 12 Recipes
- Dinners/Entrees/Quick Meals: 16 Recipes
Please leave me a comment below letting me know if you make these masala chai pancakes or any of the recipes from the Flourish Kids Recipe Book. I would love to know how it turns out – your feedback is always appreciated.
To your health & happiness,
Muneeza
