My mentor, Annemarie Colbin, is both a pioneer in the field of nutrition and healing and an extremely generous woman. The founder of the cooking school I attended, the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts, Annemarie has a PhD in nutrition and is the author of Food and Healing, considered a bible among chefs who believe in using food to support health. She’s graciously allowed me to use this recipe from that book; it’s a stress-relieving elixir that’s a calmative in a cup. The only thing I’ve done is add a little ginger and cinnamon. For those days when you need a hug pronto and there’s no one around to soothe your nerves, this kudzu concoction will do the trick.

　　

Ingredients

makes 1 cup

　　1 1/2 tablespoons kudzu root powder

　　1 cup cold, unfiltered apple juice

　　1/8 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional)

　　1 teaspoon vanilla extract

　　1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

　　

Step 1

In a small pot, mix the kudzu into the cold apple juice, stirring until dissolved. Stir in the ginger, vanilla, and cinnamon and bring to a boil over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the liquid thickens and becomes translucent. Serve hot or cold.

　　

variation

Step 2

For a cozy and soothing pudding, follow Annemarie’s original recipe, leaving out the ginger and cinnamon, and increase the amount of kudzu to 2 tablespoons.

　　

Step 3

For a more nutrient-dense pudding, swirl 1 tablespoon of tahini into the mixture as soon as it thickens.

　　

storage

Step 4

Drink immediately!

　　

nutrition information

Step 5

(per serving)

　　

Step 6

Calories: 170

　　

Step 7

Total Fat: 0g (0g saturated, 0g monounsaturated)

　　

Step 8

Carbohydrates: 39g

　　

Step 9

Protein: 0g

　　

Step 10

Fiber: 0g

　　

Step 11

Sodium: 30mg

　　

WHO KNEW? Kudzu for an Upset Tummy

Step 12

While there are many good medications available to control nausea and stomach problems, folks always are asking me about nutritional options. I threw the question to Dr. Keith Block, and he suggested kudzu. In fact, Keith said, “I find kudzu better than most antidiarrheal medications in terms of binding a patient’s bowels when they have loose stools.” Hey, anything that keeps you from wearing out the carpet between the bed and the bathroom is worth a try.

　　

CULINARY RX

Step 13

Regarding kudzu, Annemarie says, “I was looking for ways to make puddings that didn’t require milk or eggs. I turned to kudzu, which was being used in macrobiotic circles as a remedy for digestive disorders. It thickens the same way as cornstarch does—by being dissolved in a cold liquid and then heated while stirring. I loved my hot peanut apple kudzu breakfast pudding. After a few days of eating it, I began to realize I was feeling exceedingly mellow. My desire to argue seemed to vanish. I slept really deeply. Soon enough, I thought, ‘This is a great stress-reducer!’ Eventually I put it in my book Food and Healing, and in my classes on kitchen pharmacy. Everybody who had it in class got very relaxed. It’s also great for calming down kids. So I will take credit for discovering this wonderful natural remedy that tastes like dessert, and hope many people learn to enjoy it!”

　　Excerpted from The Cancer Fighting Kitchen, copyright 2017 by Rebecca Katz and Met Edelson. Published with permission by Ten Speed Press.