Accidental Brownie

This recipe doesn't come with any photos, sorry, because it didn't actually start out as a) brownie or b) for my blog! I was actually intending on making this recipe here. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), I quickly discovered that our new blender, as amazing as it is, isn't actually a good replacement for the dying food processor that I threw away. As such, all the nuts and dried fruit just ended up in a big solid lump around the blender blades. So I decided to improvise, add more liquid, and turn it into a brownie batter...and OMG, I think it was actually one of the best examples of paleo baking that I've come up with!

Ingredients

100gms 85% dark chocolate (melted)
1 cup (not packed) soft dates
1 cup of nuts (I used cashews and hazelnuts)
1/2 cup shredded coconut
2 tbsp coconut flour
1 tsp baking soda
3 eggs
3 tbsp Dutch cocoa
250 ml (1 cup) coconut cream

Basically, just throw all the ingredients into a blender and blend until the mixture becomes a smooth batter.

I then baked it at 180 degrees celsius, in a square cake tin lined with baking paper. I can't remember how long I cooked it for, sorry, but I think it was probably about 30 minutes. You'd want the top to bounce back when you push it gently.

The greatest thing since sliced (paleo) bread...

I don't really miss bread anymore, but just occasionally, it's nice to have something bread-like to accompany a meal. This bread paleo recipe here (shared with me by a CrossFit friend) is simple and versatile.

I doubled the recipe and added a bit of flavouring, so the recipe ended up being:

3 tbsp melted coconut oil
4 eggs
4 very heaped tsp of coconut flour

1 tsp baking powder

Onion flakes (probably around 2 tsp)

1 tsp smoked paprika

I had some for breakfast, topped with scrambled eggs and olive oil..

The rest, I had for dinner, as a Tuna & bacon open paleo sandwich

In a bowl, I combined a small tin of tuna, a few spoonfuls of homemade wasabi mayonnaise (in the fridge from last week), and some capers.

Leaving that to sit for a while, I grilled some bacon, and toasted a couple of slices of paleo coconut bread (under the grill, as we don't own a toaster!). Then I mashed some avocado & spread that on the toasted bread, and spread the tuna on top.

On top of the tuna, I added the grilled bacon and a couple of slices of tomato.

Season with salt & pepper, and enjoy. If you're eating it with your hands, it might be useful to have a napkin within easy reach!

Unashamed product advertising...and a Christmas gift for you!

Warning: this post contains advertising material!

So I wouldn’t normally do this, but I’m making an exception, because I actually use this stuff and I think it’s awesome!

I’ve always enjoyed my post workout smoothie – it’s tasty (it’s the only time I get to have fruit!), it’s quick and easy, and it gives me what I need after a good workout. I used to make it with banana, blueberries, avocado (I try to avoid dairy, so avocado works well to give it the same creaminess, and also add in some good fat), some kind of protein powder and water. I was aware that, while not as unkind to my system as straight dairy, the dairy-based protein powders were probably not ideal either, but I didn’t have an alternative that was just as quick and easy. And it tasted pretty good. I was happy with it.

Then I discovered Vital Greens…and my PWO smoothie became awesome! Seriously, a couple of teaspoons of this transformed the taste from good to something amazing! The best thing is that in addition to tasting great, it is an amazing "blend of nutritionally potent and nutrient-dense greens, vegetables and fruits, plus additional herbs, natural minerals, powerful antioxidants, probiotics for intestinal health, essential amino acids, essential fatty acids (omegas 3, 6 and 9), digestive enzymes, cell pigments, plant sterols and fibres". I know the jury is still out on the benefits of multi-vitamins, but I personally find that the addition of nutritional support makes a huge difference to my energy levels and immune function. Believe me, when I was a student I tried desperately to go without (it was hard to make the budget stretch that far), but I really do find that the benefits outweigh the costs.

Not only that, but they also do a product called Vital Protein, which is a 100% vegetable protein - high protein content, dairy-free, and easily digested.

Introducing the PWO smoothie extraordinaire! BOOM!!

Anyway, if you’re keen to try any of their products, you can order direct from www.vitalhealthnz.com. Use the code PP2060C to get a 15% discount on all orders.

Tell your friends & help bring better health into their lives too!

And speaking of better health, I know I made a promise to post less treats and more everyday food, but it's Christmas & I figure you guys deserve a gift. IMHO, this banana bread is seriously one of the best primal dishes I've cooked. I actually ate half of it in the space of an afternoon! So if you're going to try it, maybe make sure there are other people around to help you out with eating it...

Paleo Banana Bread

4 eggs, separated
2 ripe bananas
15 dates
¼ C coconut oil
1 C coconut flour
1/3 C ground linseed
2 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp ground vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
A handful of cocoa nibs (optional)

Using a stick blender, mush together bananas, dates, coconut oil and egg yolks. Add all dry ingredients (except cocoa nibs) and cider vinegar and mix well. Stir in cocoa nibs.

In a separate bowl, whisk egg whites until they form stiff peaks.

Gently fold banana mixture into the egg whites, ensuring they are mixed completely without over-mixing.

Spoon mixture into a greased & lined loaf tin and bake at 150 degrees celcius for 45 minutes (or until loaf is golden on top & bounces back when pressed lightly).

Leave to cool in the tin for a few minutes, then turn onto a wire rack.

Enjoy warm, spread with a bit of coconut oil (or butter, if you eat dairy).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ok, I'm not American & I don't celebrate Thanksgiving...although I do think it's a pretty cool idea. But I do like the flavours of pumpkin pie - that mix of sweet (but not too sweet), savoury, and warm spices - so I made up a primal one a little while ago. I never got around to posting it though, so now seems as good a time as any! Unfortunately, I wrote down the ingredients but forgot to note down what I actually did with them, so I'll just have to do my best to remember...

Primal Pumpkin Pie

For the base
2C almond meal
1/2C dessicated coconut
25 dates
1 Tbsp almond butter
A dash of cold water

Combine all ingredients in a food processor until it forms a sticky dough. If it's too crumbly, add a little more water and mix again until you reach the right consistency.

Press dough into a greased flan tin (with removable base). Refrigerate until filling is ready.

For the filling

3C pumpkin, cooked & mashed
1C coconut cream
2 eggs
1 banana, mashed
1 ½ tsp mixed spice
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground cardamom
1 tsp ground vanilla
2 tbsp pure maple syrup

1 Tbsp chia seeds

Beat all ingredients except the chia seeds together (I used a cake mixer for this), then stir in the chia seeds.

Chill for a while! (I would suggest at least an hour, so that the chia seeds absorb some of the moisture. Longer is better).

Once the filling has begun to thicken, pour into the base and cook at 180 degrees celcius. I think this took about 20-30 minutes, but you want the base to be golden and the filling to be set.

If you're feeling particularly naughty, this tastes great with cream whipped with maple syrup!

It also works well as little tartlets (using a muffin tin instead of a flan tin).

Chocolate Coconut Cupcakes

Cupcakes

1 C coconut flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground vanilla
6 eggs
¾ C coconut milk
2 tbsp coconut oil
100g 85% dark chocolate
1 tbsp raw honey

Combine dry ingredients, then whisk in eggs and coconut milk.

In a separate saucepan, over a low heat, melt together coconut oil, chocolate & honey. Stir frequently.

Whisk chocolate mixture into rest of ingredients.

Spoon into cupcake patties placed in a muffin tray (each should be about ¾ full). Bake at 180 degrees for 15 minutes, or until cupcake bounces back when lightly pressed.

Cool on a wire rack.

  

If you’re feeling particularly decadent (I was, obviously!), ice (using frosting recipe below) then top with toasted dessicated coconut. 

Chocolate butter cream frosting

100g butter, at room temperature

1 tbsp honey 

2 tbsp cocoa
Approx 3 ½ tbsp coconut milk

Whisk butter and honey together until butter begins to pale. Add in 1 tbsp cocoa & 1 tbsp coconut milk, then whisk again. Add in the other tbsp of cocoa & 2 tbsp of coconut milk. Whisk. If necessary, add extra coconut milk until it reaches a ‘frosting’ consistency (creamy but not runny).

How lucky?

You don’t need no fancy tricks
Painted eyes or glossy lips

I love you just the way you are
Hope you don’t mind my beat up car

You don’t need to change your dress
You don’t need to change your shoes

Don’t try to hide your natural looks
Forget about the cover let me read the book

Don’t get me wrong I like them heels
But the way I feel is the way I feel

You don’t need to change your dress
You don’t need to change your shoes

Go ahead be wild and free
you don’t have to shave yo’ legs for me.
…


(Shave Yo’ Legs by Keb’ Mo’)

My man loves me first thing in the morning, when my hair’s looking crazy and I probably have drool at the corner of my mouth. He loves me in my workout gear, when I’m a sweaty, red mess. He loves me when I rock make-up, a dress, and high heels. And he also loves me when I can’t be bothered putting on make-up or doing my hair. How lucky am I?

He gave me somewhere to stay (live…?!) when I found myself between houses. He got up to make me breakfast when I was running late for a course. He supports and encourages me in my endeavours. He's proud of me and doesn't mind people knowing it. How lucky am I?

Less than a week after we started dating, he already knew me well enough to buy me the BEST. CHRISTMAS. PRESENT. EVER…

(What? I really wanted one!)

And then when that wasn’t going to arrive in time, he bought me the second best Christmas present ever, based on a passing comment I made. A juicer. How lucky am I?

Bear. That’s how lucky. So this one’s for my Bear…

Date night cupcakes

We went on an awesome date night on Saturday night. We were going to go see a movie, but we got the time wrong, so we grabbed smoothies and headed up One Tree Hill. My smoothie was A.Mazing! Coconut, banana, honey and almond. Sooo good. These cupcakes were an attempt to replicate the flavours. They ended up more banana-y and less coconut-y than I intended, but they still taste pretty damn good!

Cupcakes
100g butter, softened
1/4C honey
2 eggs
1/2C almond meal
1/4C coconut flour
1/2C coconut cream
1 tsp baking soda
2 large bananas
1/4C almond butter

Icing
100g butter, softened
1 tbsp honey
2 tbsp almond butter

For the cupcakes
Beat butter and honey well, until butter turns pale.

Add eggs, one at a time, and beat slowly until just combined.

Add almond meal and coconut flour (1/4C at a time) alternating with coconut cream, stir with a wooden spoon after each addition. Add baking soda. Stir.

In a separate bowl, mash bananas and almond butter. Stir this into the cupcake mix.

Spoon mixture into cupcake cases (in a muffin pan). Bake at 180 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

Cool cupcakes for 5 minutes in pan before removing from pan and placing on a wire rack to cool completely.

For the icing
Beat ingredients together. Freeze or refrigerate to harden before icing cupcakes.

Once cupcakes are completely cool, ice. I suggest keeping them in the fridge so that the icing doesn't melt...if there happens to be any left!