Lunch: Spiced Chickpea Sauce

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Cinnamon, Lemon

Health and fertility benefits of Spiced Chickpea Sauce

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). Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to.

Ingredients

1 (19-ounces) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained, divided
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
6 black peppercorns
3 whole allspice
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
Accompaniment: 1 pound penne, cooked and drained, reserving 1 cup cooking water; lemon wedges

Instructions

Purée half of chickpeas with oil, spices, oregano, sugar, lemon juice, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor until almost smooth.
Transfer purée to a large bowl and stir in remaining chickpeas, onion, and herbs.
Toss hot penne with sauce. Thin with some of cooking water.

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