If you’re like me you enjoy a highly seasoned dish here and there. If you’re really like me you enjoy a spicy dish 24/7 365! Well, not only are spicy dishes salivating to the taste buds they also speed up the metabolism which aids in weight loss. Studies show that both spicy foods and flavorful foods help with weight loss and appetite control. (See studies HEREand HERE) Capsaicin, which is the phytochemical that gives peppers their spice, activates the sensory neurons in the endothelial tissues. Once the capsaicin activates our bodies neurons it triggers a metabolic affect. So that sweating sensation you feel when you eat spicy food is just your body sweating off the pounds. Capsaicin-rich diets have shown favorable effects on atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver, cardiac hypertrophy, hypertension and stroke risk. Certain foods and spices can prevent against gastrointestinal worms and parasites(see listHERE).
There are contradicting studies on whether or not spicy foods cause or worsen heartburn and gastrointestinal ulcers. Dr. Arnold Levy, a gastroenterologist in Washington and vice president for education of the American Digestive Disease Society is quoted as saying “people with chronic heartburn are likely to have less severe symptoms if they stay away from spicy foods, but this alone won’t diminish the episodes of heartburn. For ulcer patients, he said, avoiding acid-stimulating foods is important, but there is no evidence that eating spicy foods will slow the healing of ulcers.”Spice can range from mild to insane. Obviously not everyone can take every level of spice, so I added a Scoville Pepper Chart below so you guys won’t burn your mouth off cooking with me.
Eating certain spices will make you crave less sweet foods. Your taste receptors will pick up on all notes of flavor thus making you feel more satisfied. Cinnamon helps balance blood sugar, which can keep people feeling satisfied for longer. Unlike table sugar cinnamon contains nutrients like calcium, fiber and iron. Serrano, black pepper, turmeric and ginger also support your health and weight loss goals when ingested. All of which are in this delicious dish!
Checkout this delicious recipe for veggie chili and the benefits of using turmeric HERE.
Vegan Tikki Masala
Recipe Ingredients:
¼ cup peeled canned chickpeas (non-BPA lined can)
1 block of extra firm tofu cut in cubes
¼ tsp minced garlic
¼ cup diced tomatoes
1 tbsp shallot
1 ½ tbsp organic coconut oil
1 tsp minced ginger and jalapeño or serrano peppers
½ tsp red pepper flakes, ground cardamom and smoked paprika
¼ tsp allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, black pepper
Tarragon for garnish
Directions: Boil brown basmati rice in 1 ½ cup water. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Blot the tofu to take out the moisture. Cut the block of tofu into cubes. Season the tofu with 1 tbsp of Hot Madras Curry Powder and drizzle with ½ tbsp of coconut oil. Bake the tofu until brown (about 20 minutes). Once the tofu is done add remaining coconut oil to a skillet on low heat. Cook shallots, garlic and ginger until fragrant.
Transfer the tofu, jalapeño or serrano peppers and tomatoes to the skillet and cook together for two minutes. Pour in unsweetened coconut cream and add allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, black pepper & red pepper flakes, ground cardamom and smoked paprika with the 1 tbsp Hot Madras Curry Powder. Stir in all of the seasonings. Add chickpeas and simmer on low heat for five minutes. While it’s simmering heat up the naan bread with a little coconut oil in the oven until crisp. Serve with rice.
