Maca Berry Crisp

Maca Root PowderIf your adrenals had a dream food, it would be maca. This cruciferous root not only has adaptogenic properties (which means it helps the body cope with stress by supporting adrenal health), but is also a brain tonic that helps decrease the release of ACTH.  ACTH stands for adrenocorticotropic hormone, which is released by the pituitary gland and triggers the production of epinephrine and cortisol, causing the “fight or flight” response.

Maca is also a reproductive tonic, meaning it protects against stress-induced imbalances in sex hormones.

This low Glycemic Index dessert is sweetened with sterol-rich mesquite powder and spiced with stress-busting cloves. Cloves help prevent stress-induced gastric ulcers, while also helping your body cope with the chemical fluctuations caused by stress.

Fruit-base ingredients:

  • 6 cups organic fresh or frozen strawberries, halved
  • 4 cups organic apples, sliced
  • 3 cups fresh organic peaches, sliced
  • ½ cup organic goji berries
  • 1 cup unsweetened berry juice
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice   
  • ½ tsp clove powder
  • ½ tsp nutmeg powder

Topping ingredients:

  • 1 cup  quinoa flakes
  • ½ cup brown rice flour
  • ¼ cup hazelnuts, chopped
  • ½ cup maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp maca root powder
  • 2 tsp cinnamon powder
  • ½ tsp ginger powder
  • ¼ tsp pink rock or grey sea salt
  • 4 tbsp cold coconut butter, cut in 8 pieces

To make the fruit base:

Preheat the oven at 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl combine the strawberries, apples, peaches, and goji berries. Add the berry juice, lemon juice, cloves and nutmeg. Toss thoroughly and transfer to a 9” x 13” baking dish.

To make the topping:

In a large bowl, combine the quinoa flakes, brown rice flour, hazelnuts, maple syrup, maca powder, cinnamon, ginger, and sea salt. Place the coconut butter on top of the flour mixture. Using your hand, blend until the mixture looks like coarse meal. 

Sprinkle the topping evenly and loosely over the fruit mixture, leaving fruit visible in a few spots for the juices to bubble up. Transfer to the oven and bake the crisp for 45 minutes, or until the top is brown and the fruit juices are bubbling at the edges.

**Substitute with more organic apples if fresh peaches are not available.

Makes 8 servings.

 Recipe taken from Dr. Marita’s book The Adrenal Stress Connection. 

Recipe by Julie Daniluk (R.H.N.) author of Meals that Heal Inflammation.

Adrenal Fatigue, Adrenal Health, Blog, Nutrition, Recipes, Stress ManagementDoctor Marita