My daughter Jenna made this chocolatey fruit and nut concoction a few weeks ago and I can't tell you how deliciously moreish it was!!
So I obviously had to make a batch myself! We chocolate lovers can delight in the knowledge that good quality high cocoa solids chocolate is incredibly good for us! It contains antioxidants with heart protective qualities, phenylethylamine, an amphetamine like compound which acts as a natural mood enhancer along with magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron and B vitamins. All of that considered, dark chocolate just doesn't have the same creamy mouthfeel as milk chocolate, even though most of us are aware that milk chocolate doesn't have any of the benefits of dark chocolate and has lots of refined sugar! So this recipe, adapted from The New Vegan by Aine Carlin, one of my favourite vegan authors actually manages to combine all the health benefits of dark chocolate with a lovely texture and creamy mouthfeel, due to one of my favourite ingredients....tahini! Tahini is made from sesame seeds, its packed with calcium and magnesium and its alkaline so easy for the body to absorb. It's so versatile and can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. We literally use it every day!! The other healthy ingredients in this delightful sweet are hazelnuts, goji berries and apricots, coconut oil and a good pinch of Himalyan sea salt. With thoughts turning to Christmas, this could be made quite festive with the addition of cranberries and a teaspoon of mixed spice or cinnamon and maybe some orange zest! It really is good enough to give as a gift. I will most definitely be making this again before Christmas. It is perfect with an after dinner coffee or in fact any time you happen to pass the fridge! It will keep happily for a fortnight in aforementioned fridge but not in our house! It's literally gone in a few days max!! So here is the recipe..... CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE SLICE Ingredients 100g bar of dark chocolate 2 tablespoons tahini 1 tablespoon coconut oil 1 tablespoon maple syrup or brown rice syrup large pinch of himalyan sea salt 30 g hazelnuts, lightly toasted and chopped 30g apricots, raisins or cranberries 1 tablespoon goji berries(optional) cocoa powder for dusting Method
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I've been rather busy trying out new recipes. I had my lovely juicing buddies over for dinner with a few dietary restrictions between them,! Gluten, nuts, fish, lentils and beans to name a few! Considering I don't eat meat or dairy that presented a bit of a challenge! Anyway I put on a delicious tapas spread and for dessert I made these absolutely delicious, I'm talking SERIOUSLY OMG DELICIOUS totally raw caramel slice.without any nuts! The original recipe was from the lovely folks over at Food Matters, which I adapted slightly! They are extremely healthy and packed full of incredibly nutritious ingredients, including dates, tahini, maple syrup, raw cacao, coconut oil and buckwheat, my genius alternative to nuts! Some of you may be unfamiliar with buckwheat which is a gluten free grain, containing all 8 essential amino acids.a great source of complete protein. Its contains fibre, magnesium and high levels of rutin and quercetin, which strengthen the blood vessels, lower cholesterol and blood pressure and enhance the action of Vitamin C. The other ingredients are all nutritional superstars, which I have mentioned in various other posts so a quick summary will suffice!
You can use almonds instead of the buckwheat and just melt some dark chocolate with a tablespoon of coconut oil for the topping, if you don't have raw cacao. You can also use cocoa powder instead in the base but you lose all the associated health benefits and it won't be raw! These keep really well in the freezer and are a fantastic treat when sugar cravings hit! So without further ado here is the recipe. RAW CARAMEL SLICE Base 3/4 cup buckwheat or almonds 3/4 cup medjool or deglet noor dates (pitted) 1/4 cup raw cacao powder Simply put all the ingredients into a food processor and blitz until well combined. When you pinch a piece it should stick together. If its not holding then add a teaspoon of warm water. Line a square baking tin with clingfilm, to make it easier to get out of the tin. Press the mixture evenly into the tin. A spoon dipped in hot water is a good way to smooth the base down. Put it in the freezer. Caramel 1 cup of medjool dates 1/2 cup coconut oil melted 4 tablespoons tahini 2 tablespoons maple syrup 1 teaspoon vanilla extract good pinch of Himalyan sea salt Process in a food processor until smooth and creamy. Pour over the base layer and put it back into the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes. Top Layer 1/4 cup coconut oil 1/4 cup of maple syrup 1/4 cup raw cacao Put all the ingredients into a glass bowl simmering over a pan of boiling water and stir until melted and well combined. Pour over the caramel and put back in the freezer until set. Cut into small squares and keep in a covered container in the freezer. Remove 5 minutes before serving. I'm sharing the recipe for the most delicious, decadent, chocolatey, gooey, fudgey, chocolate cake and its vegan, so egg and dairy free! We had this cake, along with countless other delicious sweet treats at the Vegan Retreat and I will get around to sharing more of the recipes, as I try them out! I can't pretend its healthy but hey we all need a treat every now and then and this cake fits the bill brilliantly and it is a celebration cake after all! A perfect way to impress your family and friends with a fabulous home made cake, which I'm sure if you try it, will become your go to recipe for a celebration cake! This recipe makes a large cake and it's very rich, and will keep for around 5 days in a covered tin, though I seriously doubt anyone would have the willpower to resist a second slice of this so be warned, it's seriously moreish!! Ingredients 1 large cake (10 to 12 slices) 225g white flour 2 tablespoons chickpea flour (gram flour) 1 1/2 teaspoons instant coffee powder 80g cocoa powder 300g dark brown sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 375ml hot water 75g non dairy spread or coconut oil 1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar Chocolate Icing 150g dark chocolate 75g coconut oil 50g light brown sugar 60 ml cold water 1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder Method
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Janice
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