Sorry for the radio silence guys. I unexpectedly took a couple weeks off from blogging to relax and enjoy the holidays. I read a couple great books (like this one and this one), watched a ton of DVDs (my favorites being this, this and this), and did crazy stuff like going to bed at 9:30. Total bliss.
I was raring and ready to go with a couple recipes, but it just seems so wrong to post maple bourbon ice cream with candied bacon right now, when everybody is in total health mode (even if it was totally awesome).
Instead I’m going to start things off with a nice detox tea, for those of you who may have overdone with with the spiked eggnog and champagne over the holidays. You’ll find burdock root, also called gobo, in just about every detox tea on the market because it’s known to support and detoxify the liver. And because burdock is a key ingredient in this popular Japanese New Year’s dish, it should be easy to find at just about any Asian market during December and January.
Made from the burdock root, ginger, and lemongrass, this tea is like a big, warm hug for your liver. You can also make it more chai-like by adding a cinnamon stick and some cardamom pods if you’d like.
Detox Tea with Burdock Root
Yield: 10 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
* 2 burdock roots, peeled and roughly chopped
* 2 stalks lemongrass, woody ends trimmed and thinly sliced
* 3-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
* 12 cups water
* honey or stevia to sweeten (optional)
Directions:
Combine the burdock, lemongrass, ginger and water in a large stock pot. Bring mixture to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered (lay the lid slightly askew) for at least 20 minutes. Strain mixture ans sweeten with honey or stevia, if desired.