My take on Ayurvedic stewed apples - a go-to autumn breakfast
My take on an Ayurvedic autumn breakfast classic - spiced stewed apples!
If you’re a regular on the blog, then you probably know that the dishes I design are heavily inspired by Ayurvedic traditions and wisdom.
And this includes one of my favorite Autumn breakfasts: Stewed Apples. It is truly a staple in my diet throughout the fall and winter months. Because single foods, eaten at the right time of day, can have the most profound impact on your health. And nothing beats a stewed apple, first thing in the morning, as close to waking as possible.
There are a ton of variations of this dish, and today I’m going to share mine with you.
But before I do, keep reading for everything I love about stewed apples and why starting your day with them is so damn good for you.
Health Perks
They’re tridoshic. And that means they’re good for every type of body or constitution. According to the experts, stewed apples are incredible for all types of digestion. Whether your digestive system is strong, sluggish, easily irritated - this dish will regulate and restore balance. If you have trouble digesting apples raw and have sworn them off, try stewing them - they are much easier to digest when you do.
Apples are incredibly nutritious. A great source of fiber (5 grams per serving!) and rich in vitamin C and E and other antioxidants. They’re available year round, but fall is peak season so this time of year they’re especially nutritious and delicious.
Includes Warming Spices. Ground ginger, turmeric and cinnamon are my spices of choice when stewing apples, as they’re warming, anti-inflammatory.
Offers maximum health benefits first thing in the morning. Eating fruit in the morning hours, on its own on an empty stomach is the best way to maximize its benefits (according to Ayurvedic wisdom). And eating it only this way can help you avoid fermentation in your stomach, which leads to digestive distress (acidity, gas, indigestion, bloat, etc.). That said, serving it like I am sharing with you here, with a simple, neutral coconut yogurt and warming spices, will still allow you to reap those benefits.
Other Thoughts, Tips and Suggestions
Great for beginners. This recipe is as uncomplicated as it gets and perfect for anyone who is new to cooking or struggles in the kitchen in general. Ingredients are minimal and uncomplicated, too, which makes always makes a new dish less intimidating if you ask me!
A fast, easy recipe. It truly comes together in minutes and requires just a handful of simple ingredients.
Consider peeling the apple. Peels can be hard to digest, so for optimal digestion (less bloat, discomfort, etc.) peel your apples before stewing.
Pears work well too. If apples really don’t agree with you or you are allergic, pears are a great replacement.
Save the liquid. Once you’ve drained the apples, sip on the warm liquid and enjoy it as a sweet tea!
Hope you love it as much as I do!
Ayurvedic Stewed Apples
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 5-7 minutes | Yields: 1 servings
Ingredients:
1 medium or large apple, cored and peeled then chopped
1 tsp coconut oil (optional)
Small dash of ground cinnamon (+ more for garnish)
Small dash of ground turmeric
Small dash of ground ginger
1/2 cup filtered water
Pinch of salt
Opțional: 1/2 cup coconut yogurt
Directions
Add apple to small saucepan over medium heat. Sauté in coconut oil and spices and once the apple is evenly coated in spices, add your water. If you prefer an oil-free version, skip it, and just add water.
Stew your apple. Bring water to a boil, then quickly reduce to simmer and cover for about 5 minutes. You want your apple to be tender enough to stick a fork through but not mushy.
Remove and strain. Once apple is cooked, remove the saucepan from the stove and strain the liquid - leaving you with just the stewed apples. You can save the liquid to drink as tea if you’d like. Let apples cool for a few minutes.
Garnish. You can enjoy the apples on their own, garnished with additional ground cinnamon and a pinch of salt or pair it with 1/2 a cup of coconut yogurt for a more substantial breakfast or early morning snack.
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