What's That?? ... Secret Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Pie!!

I HATE when people ask me to bring a dessert. I feel all this anxiety rise inside as I get excited to try something new, but DO NOT want the leftovers or mid way taste tests in my kitchen! Argh! 

When its in my face I WILL eat it, so I just try to never have that stuff in my house. 

Therefore - I am always on the look out for that perfect dessert I can bring, that tastes amazing, but really isn't all that bad for you. I think I have found it!!! YAY!! Introduce 
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Pie! 

But until we get to that. Let's talk about our secret ingredient:

CHICKPEAS

(Also called Garbanzo Beans)

Yep - that's the ingredient.

  This recipe reminded me of the days I used to throw these into chocolate chip cookies. You really couldn't tell, but the texture did get slightly weird some times. :)

Health Benefits
Chickpeas can help fight coronary heard disease. They are packed with fiber! About 12.5 g per cup!! That helps curb overeating (by filling you up) and slows absorption of sugar. (great to add to a dessert right? :)) THey are an extremely low fat, complete protein food!

Where to get them?
You can buy them canned or dry.  I usually buy them canned to save time. But if you have time to cook the beans from dry they will taste better and you can even store them in the freezer till you need them. I love it when I do this!


How to use them?
You can throw them on your salads, make your own Hummus, or change it up with these recipes below.

For Dinner the other night we made-

Moroccan Spaghetti Squash (So fast and easy!)

1 Large Spaghetti Squash

1/4 C Cooked Chickpeas

1-2 Tbl water

2 Garlic Cloves

1 tsp Cumin

1/2 tsp Ground Coriander

1/8 tsp Cayenne

3/4 tsp Salt

Handful of Chopped Cilantro or Parsley

1) Cook Squash. Pierce all over with knife. Put in a dish and place in microwave. Cook about 8 minutes. You know it's done when you can easily pierce a knife through the skin. 

2) Place Chickpeas and Water in food processor. Process until smooth. (you can add a little olive oil or butter to make it creamier if you desire) Add the rest of the ingredients and process into a sauce.

3) Cut squash in half and scoop out middle with the seeds. Use a fork to scrape all the noodle like middle. Mix with a little sauce, so me Chickpeas, and fresh green beans. YUM!!

Here is the star of the show:

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Pie! 

(Gluten Free and almost fat free!)

Really - you will be shocked. 

No Flour, only 3 Tbl of Oil in the whole thing! And it is moist as ever. 

picture borrowed from chocolate covered katie

You can get the recipe HERE. 

The only think I changed, is I used a cup of sugar instead of 1 1/2. But you choose. 

And yes  - thats a lot of sugar, I hate sugar! My ideal would be able to re-create this using a sugar substitute of some kind, but when serving to 'others' who are not of my ways (as my hubby would say) I have to draw the line somewhere. :)

ENJOY

Let me know what you think!

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What's That?? ...and secret ingredient chocolate sauce

DATES

I call them God's Sugar! Sometimes they are referred to as "natures Candy!" Seriously - something that was given to us that full of vitamins and minerals, from the earth naturally, and sweetens food! I LOVE THEM! There are a bazillion (sweet) things you can do with them (just google it). 

(I also often throw one into my green smoothies for a little sweetness as well.)

A single date has calcium and magnesium at a 1:1 ratio, about 1 1/2 g FIBER, tons of potassium, and trace amounts of many other vitamins and minerals. 1 cup of dates (about 10) have 140 calories, and 4 g fiber, 327 mg Potassium, and some calcium and magnesium. ("The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth")

That's crazy! I say if you want some sugar, might as well eat it with some benefits and in the most whole form! That's why I love these little guys!

 (don't freak out cause they look like a large scary semi unpopular bug, haha -  give them a try!)

They can be found in the bulk section of health food stores or some grocery stores. You can buy date honey or syrup online, but I just simmer my own dates in a little water for 45 minutes and puree that mixture to make honey.  Most common type is the Deglet Noor date. Make sure they are pitted!

Raw Strawberry Oat Bars

Flour and sugarless, this is almost an energy bar!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 C Pitted Dates

1/4 Raw Macadamia nuts

1/4 C Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

Pinch Sea Salt

1 C Sliced Fresh Strawberries

Optional: Shredded Coconut

1. Place Dates, nuts, Oats, and Salt in Food Processor. Pulse until completely combined into a paste like consistency.

2. Press into a greased 8x8 pan. Place half of strawberries in processor and pulse. Spread over top. Top with Sliced strawberries and coconut if desired.

Whole Wheat Crepes with Chocolate Sauce

 (almost too good for breakfast :))

picture borrowed from here

Crepes:

1 Egg

1 Egg White

1/8 tsp Salt

1 C White Whole Wheat Flour (or 1/2 Whole Wheat and 1/2 Buckwheat)

1 1/4 C Skim Milk or Almond Milk (Almond milk makes a creamier texture!)

1/2 Tbs Vanilla

1/2 tsp Cinnamon

Combine all ingredients. Warm non-stick pan or spray a warmed skillet. Place 1/4 C of batter into pan and lift up pan and spread to cover bottom of pan. Let sit about 45 seconds, or until slightly set and the edges start to curl up. Slide spatula under and flip. Cook for another 5-10 seconds. Not too long! Slide off onto plate. Fill with Sliced fruit and Chocolate Sauce (below).

Secret Ingredient Chocolate Sauce

1/4 C Chopped Dates

1/4 C Water

1/4 Pure Maple Syrup

1/2 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract

1 Ripe Avocado

1/4 C + 2 Tbl of Cocoa Powder (or replace 1/8 C with Raw Cacao - extra healthy and a superfood!)

Heat Small saucepan with dates and water. Bring to boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Blend or puree. Add the rest of ingredients and blend or puree until smooth. Add more or less water for desired consistency or I actually added a few Tbl of Milk to make it creamier for the crepes.

This is seriously amazing! We ate it as pudding later on in the day! Good warm or cold! 

ENJOY!

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What's That??

Raw Cacao (Pronounced Ca-Cow)
 (not misspelled cocoa) :)

Some people us these two words interchangeably, but Raw Cacao means it hasn't been processed at all. It contains up to 20 times the nutrients of Cocoa powder and is as a SUPERFOOD!

Live Superfoods said, "Cacao has more antioxidant flavonoids than any food tested so far, including blueberries, red wine, and black and green teas. In fact, it has up to four times the quantity of antioxidants found in green tea"

It's full of Antioxidants and essential fats and minerals. 
Its hard to find, I have to look online or at my health food store, but It's a great thing to add to your pantry! 
When you combine it with coconut oil or just Raw Honey - you have a chocolaty treat that will satisfy!!

 Heres a great link with more info!


You can also purchase it HERE

Chocolate Cherry Granola

In Large Bowl Combine:

4 C Regular Oats

1/2 Sesame or Sunflower Seeds

1/4 C Slivered Almonds

1/2 tsp Kosher Salt

1 C Chopped Pecans or Hazelnuts

In small sauce pan Combine:

1/2 C All natural Cherry Juice

2 Tbl Blackstrap Molasses (another superfood! More info coming soon)

2 Tbl Honey

1 Tbl Brown Sugar (optional)

1 tsp Cinnamon

1 tsp Vanilla

2 Tbl Raw Cacao Powder (or if you have to, cocoa Powder)

Add later:

1/2 Unsweetened Coconut Flakes

1/2 C Raisins

1/2-3/4 C of Dried Cherries! (YUM!)

1/4 C Mini Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 325.

In small pan combine with whisk: Juice, Honey, Molasses, cacao powder, sugar (optional), cinnamon, and vanilla. Bring to Boil then take off heat and let cool.

Combine with oats. Spread on cookie sheet and stir to evenly distribute. Bake for 20 minutes. Add coconut and stir, cook for additional 10 minutes.

Let cool. Add raisins, chips, and Cherries.

I eat this as my little treat at night. Combine with Almond milk and indulge! :)

ENJOY!

You can also try Cacao Walnut Cookies ( a real empowering and energizing treat!)

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What's That??

So I get a lot of questions about some of the weird ingredients I use. It does take some getting used to and learning, but I promise it's all worth it! So I thought I would just take some posts to teach about some awesome things to eat!

LENTILS
note: they do come in many colors! The brown ones should be easy to find at any grocer!

"The Vegetarians Protein" - don't think you shouldn't eat these because you're not a vegetarian. They are a GREAT thing to add to your diet. And easy, easy to cook!

5 facts about Lentils:
1 - Heart Health- 1 Cup contains 16 g fiber (Which can help reduce heart disease by lowering your cholesterol)!! They also contain a lot of folate and many minerals.
2 - Stabilize the Blood Sugar - The high soluble fiber slows the entry of the sugar into the bloodstream. Keeps you fuller longer!
3- Full of Iron! One cup is 37% of Daily Value of Iron.
4-  Great source of B vitamins - which help the nervous, immune, and digestive system.
5- Protein Packed! - 1 cup contains 18 g protein! 3rd highest level of protein than any other plant food.

So go Enjoy LENTILS!! 

Look Below for a GREAT recipe - and stay tuned for Lentil Lettuce Wraps!

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