Lunch: Tamal Dulce

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Cinnamon, Nuts

Health benefits of Tamal Dulce

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060). Nuts are a natural source of Inositol, a derivative of Vitamin B (which is often prescribed in the form of supplements for women with PCOS). Inositol can effectively control the symptoms of PCOS by reducing insulin resistance and improving insulin sensitivity.

Ingredients

1 cup real maple syrup
4 star anise
3 whole cloves
1/2 orange, halved
1 cinnamon stick
4 ounces masa harina
1/4 cup fresh whole corn kernels
1 tablespoon pine nuts, toasted
4 tablespoons sultana raisins, softened in hot water
6 tablespoons grated asadero cheese
2 peeled bananas, cut in 1/2 lengthwise and then cut in chunks
6 banana leaves, cut to 8 by 10-inches

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large saucepan, slowly boil the syrup, star anise, cloves, orange and cinnamon stick. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes. Strain the mixture into the masa harina, stir to incorporate and discard the strained spices and fruit. Add the corn, pine nuts, sultana raisins, asadero cheese, and banana pieces to the masa mixture. Thaw a package of banana leaves by placing the still sealed leaves in a shallow pan of hot water, until thawed. Open package and rinse leaves in cool water then cut into 8-inch pieces. Assemble the tamales by placing 4 ounces of the mixture in the center of each banana leaf. And fold in sides to create a package. Place into the oven and bake for 20 minutes.