(Elettaria cardamomum) A perennial plant originating in India, cardamom is now also grown in other tropical areas. It is a key ingredient in Indian cooking and chai masala blends, and is used in Turkey brewed with coffee. Cardamom has a strong, unique taste, with an intensely aromatic fragrance. It is used in baking as well as medicinally. It has been used to treat infections in the teeth and gums, to treat throat troubles, and for digestive disorders. It stimulates the appetite and helps with digestive discomfort.

Caffeine Free

Apple Crisp

Preheat oven to 350°

Ingredients:
12 baking apples (14 cups sliced)
¼ cup maple syrup
¼ cup honey
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 Tbsp. cinnamon powder
¼ tsp. powdered ginger
1/8 tsp. each of nutmeg, cardamom, cloves
¼ cup butter

Peel, core and slice apples. Mix with all other ingredients except butter.
Spread apples in a 9x12" oiled baking pan making sure to spread them up into corners. Dot apples with butter.

Topping:
3 cups rolled oats
3 cups whole wheat flour
2 tsp. cinnamon powder
1/8 tsp. each of powdered ginger, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom
1 cup butter, chilled
½ cup maple syrup
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Prepare topping by mixing all dry ingredients together. Break butter into dry mix in pea-sized pieces. Mix syrup and vanilla together and stir into dry mix. Cover apples with topping.

Bake for 1 - 1 ½ hours, until apples are soft but not mushy and topping is lightly browned

Serve hot or cold.

Please Note: The information given here has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.