Did you know that raw daikon is chock full of digestive enzymes making it a great salad for those that normally cannot do raw veggies?
When we add the detoxifying qualities of chicory, we get a great salad that helps you burn fat easier.
The cooling yogurt and tahini dressing adds a wonderfully creamy bite that calms and cools the nervous system. What’s not to love about this summer salad?
Eastern View: Daikon Radish is a great salad vegetable. It is spicy and acts as a digestive enzyme by stimulating your digestive fire. This means if normally salads cause gas and bloating this is one salad you may be able to eat well.
Daikon is used to balance heavier foods that are more difficult to digest such as animal protein. So, a great addition to your hamburger or grilled chicken. Daikon is also an excellent vegetable due to its “decongesting” and cleansing properties. Here it is excellent combined with other decongesting and cleansing vegetables like chicory.
Chicory will gently cleanse your and improve gut function. Therefore daikon and chicory work really well together to flush any summer heat out of the body and helps supports the overall detox function of your body.
Western View: Daikon has many amazing benefits that include cancer prevention, stronger immune system, lower inflammation, and improved digestion. Further, it helps strengthen bones, detoxify the body, improve respiratory health, and stimulate weight loss.
According to organicfacts.net daikon juice has also been shown to possess similar enzymes to those found in the human digestive tract, including amylase and esterase. [1] These enzymes can facilitate more efficient digestion of complex carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. This can prevent gas and constipation and increase nutrient uptake efficiency in the gut.
Daikon has long been known as a diuretic by nature, which means that it stimulates urination. Great for Kaphas who can retain water. Ultimately this function helps to keep the kidneys clean and functioning at a high level by stimulating the elimination of excess toxins, fats, and even water through urination. Research has shown that the anti-inflammatory compounds found in daikon juice, its roots, and leaves can significantly decrease inflammation throughout the body. [2] This helps boost heart health and reduces the risk of developing arthritis. It also treats gout and eases discomfort and pain from injuries and strained muscles.
Daikon and Chicory Salad.
Ingredients
- 4 cups (360g) grated daikon
- 2 chicory, chopped
- 1 zucchini, grated
- Black pepper to taste
- Hazelnuts, chopped for garnish
- Mint, chopped, for garnish
Dressing:
- 1 cup (260g) goat’s milk yogurt
- 1/2 cup (135g) tahini
- grated zest and juice of 1 orange
- 2 tablespoons (40ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (20 ml) rice malt syrup or 6 drops stevia
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- pinch cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Combine all the dressing ingredients in a bowl and whisk well.
- Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Arrange the vegetables on a serving plate and pour over the dressing. Season with pepper, then top with hazelnuts, cilantro, and mint, and serve.
(Recipe inspired by ‘Eat Right For Your Shape’ by Lee Holmes)
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In health,
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