Category Archives: Recipes

Chicken, leek and coconut meatballs with a roast vegetable sauce

Liven up the dinner menu with these delicious meatballs. Make a huge batch and have them for dinner and lunch. Add a sauce, salad or vegetables and get creative in the kitchen. Grab one when you are on the go and have as a quick work day snack. Gluten and Dairy Free!

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Colourful, nutritious and home made.

Sauce: Ingredients and Directions

A tray of roasted veggies (pumpkin, carrot, sweet potato and one onion are my favourites)

2 cups of chicken stock (home made if possible)

A handful of herbs

Pink rock salt and black pepper to taste.

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A big batch of roasted veggies.

Place all ingredients in the blender and blend until a nice puree.

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If you don’t want to roast an onion just add in some spring onion green tops for added flavour.

Meatballs: Ingredients and Directions

500g Organic Chicken Mince

A handful of thin leeks

A handful of fresh parsley

2 free range eggs

Pink rock salt and black pepper to taste

1/4 cup coconut flour

1/2 cup shredded coconut

Extra coconut flour to roll the meatballs in

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Start with a good quality mince
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Leeks from my garden. Give them a good wash and use the green and white part. Substitute with spring onion or onion if you don’t have leeks.
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Place all ingredients in the food processor with the chopping blade attachment.
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Blend well
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Roll into small balls and coat in coconut flour.
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Place in the fridge for about an hour to firm up.
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Gently fry in a pan with some olive oil or coconut oil.
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You can heat the sauce up on its own and pour over the cooked meatballs or alternatively brown the meatballs and then add the sauce to let it all heat up together. The flavours will develop more if you do it this way, especially if you have added raw spring onion in the blender stage of making the sauce.
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Serve with your favourite veggies and salad.
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Served without the puree here. The meatballs can be kept separately in the fridge and added to a lunchtime salad, grabbed for a quick snack or reheated for dinner another night. 

Have you had a listen to my Wellness Podcast? Search on iTunes for The Wellness Buzz Podcast or listen in at http://www.thewellnessbuzzpodcast.com

2015-07-05 19.58.13

 

Apricot Chicken

An old classic which has been updated to suit those eating a gluten free diet. This is a great recipe to make in a slow cooker or in a big pot on the stove top and has the most delicious and sweet flavour.

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So delicious!
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Use a slow cooker, hot pot or large saucepan on the stove top.

Ingredients:

6 free range/organic chicken thighs diced.

Coconut flour (to coat thighs)

1 generous tablespoon Coconut Oil

1.5 litres chicken broth/stock

4 Apricots finely diced

2 spring onions sliced (green sections)

¼ of a small pumpkin diced

½ cup organic shredded coconut

Ground black pepper and pink rock salt or celtic sea salt to taste

A small handful of fresh herbs diced such as parsley and mint

One cup of veggies diced such as capsicum, radish or carrot.

¼ cup black chia seeds

½ cup white quinoa (well rinsed)

1 cup diced beans (green or yellow).

Method:

Coat the chicken thighs in a generous amount of coconut flour. Brown in a pan with the coconut oil and then place in the hot pot and add the stock, apricots, spring onions, pumpkin, shredded coconut, ground black pepper, sea salt, herbs and vegetables. Let this cook for about 4 to 5 hours depending on whether you are using a hot pot or saucepan (which is hotter) and then add the chia seeds, quinoa and beans. Another thirty minutes to one hour of cooking and it will be ready to serve. If there is still a lot of liquid in it cook for a bit longer as this will also help the sweet flavour to develop from the apricots, pumpkin and coconut.

I hope you enjoy this casserole and can share the recipe with your family and friends.

 

 

Chocolate Souffle

A soft rich chocolate delight! Dig your spoon into this gluten and dairy free treat and enjoy every mouthful. Quick and easy to make using all natural ingredients and a wonderful recipe for chocolate lovers.

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The flaked almonds are a nice touch

This recipe makes four individual serves in largish ramekins (greased with coconut oil) and more in smaller ones.

Ingredients: 

4 free range eggs

1 tablespoon raw organic cacao

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 cup organic maple syrup

1/2 cup organic coconut oil (soft)

1 cup blanched almond meal

1/3 cup organic coconut flour

1/2 teaspoon organic vanilla essence

1/2 cup filtered water

Flaked almonds for the top of the souffle

Method:

Place all ingredients into a mixing bowl and mix. If the coconut oil isn’t quite a liquid use a beater to blend. For an extra dose of chocolate you could add some chopped raw organic dark chocolate pieces at this step.

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The ramekins are greased with coconut oil. These are quite large and you could use ones that are half the size.
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Place spoonfuls of the mixture into the ramekins and sit them on a baking tray.

Place into a pre-heated 180 degrees celsius oven and bake until they have risen and are firmish to touch. If you want a souffle which is moist in the middle then remove from the oven when the middle is still moist.

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Straight out of the oven and ready to eat.
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Every mouthful was delicious and the crunch of the almonds was extra special.

Sometimes a dish like this can really brighten up your day. Eat straight out of the oven and enjoy the incredible aroma. This recipe freezes very well and the souffles can be stored in the freezer in the ramekins wrapped in cling wrap or foil, or they can be removed from the ramekin and wrapped in foil.

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Stored in the freezer. Wrapped in foil and easy to reheat in the oven for a quick and delicious snack.

Share this recipe with your friends and follow me on Instagram at holistic_paleo.

Have you had a listen of my Wellness Podcast. See all of the episodes at http://www.thewellnessbuzzpodcast.com or search for The Wellness Buzz Podcast on iTunes.

2015-07-05 19.58.13

Decadent raw raspberry and chocolate tart

A delicious frozen dessert with a stunning colour and flavour. This raspberry and chocolate tart can be eaten straight from the freezer where it will be firm and cool, or at room temperature where it is quite soft but holds together and has a really creamy delicious taste. You could also just eat it freshly made as the frozen berries give it a wonderful coolness and texture.

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Such a colourful platter.

This tart can be made ahead and kept in the freezer. Just keep it on a firm base and cover it in cling wrap. On the day it is required just remove it from the freezer and decorate, or slice it and keep it in the freezer to have as a snack.

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The tart is paired here with a delightful chocolate mousse, fresh strawberries and Raw Organic Dark Chocolate.

I used a round baking tray with a decorative edge that had a removable base. I greased the inside of the tray with organic coconut oil and then made the base.

In the food processor l placed:

1 cup of activated almonds (or other hard nut of your choice), 1 cup of shredded organic coconut and 8 large medjool dates (remember to take out the seeds).

Blend well in the food processor and then press firmly into the pan. Place this into the freezer to set while you make the filling.

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The pan is greased well with coconut oil.
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Use a spatula to spread the base and to push it down so it is flat and firm.

In the food processor blend together:

1 large ripe avocado, 1.5 tablespoons raw organic cacao, 3 tablespoons of organic coconut oil and 1 cup of medjool dates (Approximately 10 dates with the seeds removed). Once combined add 1 really generous cup of frozen raspberries and gently pulse through the mix so they are roughly chopped up or blend thoroughly if you want them mixed through. Remove the base from the freezer and fill with the delicious mix.

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Look at that colour.

Smooth the top with a spatula ensuring it is nice and even.

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The more berries you add the pinker the colour.

Cover with cling wrap and return to the freezer to set. When you are ready to serve the tart, remove it from the freezer and decorate with extra berries and fruit.

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Made with real whole food ingredients.

Alternatively, cut up the tart and freeze, so that you can have a piece as a snack with some berries and raw dark chocolate.

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Served with frozen berries and a piece of Raw Dark chocolate.

This is a very rich treat and a small piece is very satisfying. The coconut and chocolate are a wonderful combination and this tart is very pleasing to the taste buds.

You can follow me on Instagram at holistic_paleo or on Facebook at Holistic Wellness For Life or Primal Living Melbourne.

Have you had a listen to my new Wellness Podcast? http://www.thewellnessbuzzpodcast.com

Roast Turkey with herb stuffing

Once a year on Christmas Day l go all out and make the most delicious turkey lunch for the family. A special part of this celebration is a most gorgeous gluten free stuffing which everyone looks forward to. The leftovers are one of the highlights and an array of vegetable and salad dishes completes a most magnificent meal.

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The seasoning is bursting out of the turkey.

Buy the best quality turkey you can. This was a Free Range one which l bought Frozen and therefore had to defrost for about four days. Wash it well before cooking including the cavity.

Seasoning:

One loaf of good quality gluten free bread. I used a sunflour and quinoa variety.

A handful each of spring onion greens sliced, chopped walnuts, coconut flakes, herbs (parsley and mint).

The juice and zest of one lemon.

Pink rock salt and black pepper.

One generous tablespoon of coconut oil.

Filtered water (approximately 1/4 of a cup but use your judgement)

Anything else you have which you think might add to the flavour.

Directions: Break up the bread into pieces and place into the food processor (chopping blade). Add all ingredients and process until looking well combined.

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Ready to go into the turkey
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The turkey has been coated in olive oil and seasoned with sea salt and black pepper. I sit it on a rack with water underneath.

Spoon into the turkey cavity and pull the top of the turkey up to fit it all in.

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Cover the turkey generously with foil and place in a 180 degree celsius oven. Cook until golden and delicious which for me was about 5 hours as this was a 4.5 kg turkey. I like to remove the turkey once during cooking to baste and then remove when cooked and let sit fully covered for at least 30 minutes.

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Sensational

I cooked up lots of baked veggie dishes and salads and the best part is eating the leftovers the next day.

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Cold leftovers.

This recipe uses a loaf of gluten free bread as the base for the stuffing. I rarely eat processed gluten free foods but this recipe benefits from having the bread as the base. You could make your Paleo bread but l am o.k having this as a once a year treat and the decision is entirely a personal one. I hope you enjoyed a lovely Christmas and New Year with those closest to you.

Herb coated chicken schnitzel

The family will love these delicious schnitzels which can be used in so many dishes and eaten hot or cold. Vary the meat, serve with a range of vegetables and prepare a batch that will last several meals. Use the best quality meat you can buy and enjoy this tasty gluten free version with the use of herbs adding a lovely flavour.

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Ingredients:

Organic or free range chicken breasts (alternatively beef or lamb as examples)

For the crumbs:

On a plate: Buckwheat flour and Coconut Flour mix

In a bowl: Free range or organic eggs whisked with sea salt and black pepper

On a Plate: Blanched almond meal and shredded coconut mix plus herbs (My favourites are rosemary and parsley but experiment and use what you have. Fresh is best).

Oil to fry: Olive oil or coconut oil

Method:

Wash your chicken breasts in filtered water. Pat dry with paper towel then slice thinly so you can get a number of schnitzels from each breast. Pound the meat gently with a mallet to flatten. You can put cling wrap over each piece of meat while pounding to avoid splatter.

Dip each piece in the flour mix, egg mix and then almond meal/coconut/herb mix. Place on a plate and when finished cool in the fridge for about thirty minutes.

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A nice pile of schnitzels

Cook each schnitzel on a low heat in a pan with oil. You can place on paper towel when cooked to absorb excess oil. I like to get two meals out of a batch and just cook as many as l need and save the rest for a second night. If l serve them all up they will get eaten so l add lots of salad and veggies to even out the meal and balance the budget. They are delicious hot or cold and are a family favourite. One tip is to grind your fresh herbs until they are small and broken down which helps them blend into the outer layer.

Schnitzels are so delicious and easy to make. Going gluten free can leave one wondering how to incorporate favourites into the diet but this recipe is so simple and delicious that you won’t notice the change.

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My wellness podcast. Have a listen on iTunes and check out all of the episodes at http://www.thewellnessbuzzpodcast.com

 

Raw Cashew and Chocolate Slice

A raw chocolate, coconut and seed slice that is quick to make and free of gluten and dairy. Using the natural sweetness of organic maple syrup and filled with lots of wholefoods goodness with the main ingredient being raw cashews.

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Ingredients: (all organic where possible)

250g raw cashews

1/2 cup coconut oil

1/3 cup maple syrup

1 cup coconut flakes or shredded coconut

1/3 cup sesame seeds

1/3 cup chia seeds

1/4 cup raw cacao

Extra sesame seeds for the top and bottom of the slice

Method:

Place all ingredients in the food processor with the chopping blade. Pulse until well combined.

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Looking delicious.

Use a small rectangular baking tray and generously line with baking paper so it hangs over the edges. Sprinkle the paper with sesame seeds.

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Carefully place the mix on top of the seeds and smooth using your hands as it is quite sticky.
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Sprinkle more sesame seeds over the top and gently push into the mixture.

Place the tray into the freezer for an hour then lift the whole slab out of the tray by holding the edges of the baking paper.

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Ready to slice and eat.

This is a very sweet and satisfying slice. Keep in the freezer to have when something chocolate is required. It is high in healthy fats and a treat to eat mindfully or on special occasions. You can use a different sugar such as honey or rice malt syrup and could also substitute the nuts if you don’t like cashews. If it is a harder nut then pulse it first to break down as cashews are very soft.

Have you had a listen of my podcast? http://www.thewellnessbuzzpodcast.com. Search for The Wellness Buzz on iTunes and leave a review. Thankyou!

 

Raspberry and coconut cake

A gorgeous weekend treat with the sweetness of the raspberries making every mouthful a delight. This gluten and dairy free cake can be a snack or dessert, freezes well and is especially lovely when just out of the oven. The combination of raspberry and coconut is perfect and this cake has a lovely softness to it which makes it a pleasure to eat.

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Just out of the oven!

Ingredients:

1 cup of frozen or fresh raspberries plus a few more for the top of the cake

1 cup of coconut flakes plus a few more for the top of the cake

1/3 cup melted coconut oil

1/4 cup coconut flour

2 cups blanched almond meal

5 free range eggs (700g)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/3 cup filtered water

1/3 cup honey or maple syrup (slightly more if you are using rice malt syrup)

Method:

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Place all ingredients into a bowl. Crumble the frozen raspberries between your fingers or chop if fresh to help them spread through the mixture.
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Mix with a spatula.
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Place the mixture into a greased and lined baking tin and sprinkle extra raspberries and coconut on the top. Bake in a 180 degree celcius oven until firm to touch.
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Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the cake for a short time. Cut around the edges with a knife.
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Turn the cake onto a cooling rack.
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Enjoy a slice or two. Freeze individual portions for snacks.

I hope you enjoy this delightful cake. Please share the recipe with your friends and why not try a flavour swap and use a different type of berry. Have you listened to my Wellness Podcast! Tune in at http://www.thewellnessbuzzpodcast.com

Chocolate Souffle

A soft rich chocolate delight! Dig your spoon into this gluten and dairy free treat and enjoy every mouthful. Quick and easy to make using all natural ingredients and a definate recipe to try if you are a chocolate lover.

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The flaked almonds are a nice touch

This recipe makes four individual serves in largish ramekins (greased with coconut oil).

Ingredients: 

4 free range eggs

1 tablespoon raw organic cacao

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 cup organic maple syrup

1/2 cup organic coconut oil (soft)

1 cup blanched almond meal

1/3 cup organic coconut flour

1/2 teaspoon organic vanilla essence

1/2 cup filtered water

Method:

Place all ingredients into a mixing bowl and mix. If the coconut oil isn’t quite a liquid use a beater to blend. For an extra dose of chocolate you could add some chopped raw organic dark chocolate pieces at this step.

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The ramekins are greased with coconut oil. These are quite large and you could use ones that are half the size.
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Place spoonfuls of the mixture into the ramekins and sit them on a baking tray.

Place into the oven and bake at 180 degrees celcius until they have risen and are firmish to touch. If you want a souffle which is moist in the middle then remove from the oven when the middle is still moist.

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Straight out of the oven and ready to eat.
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Every mouthful was delicious and the crunch of the almonds was extra special.

Sometimes a dish like this can really brighten up your day. Straight out of the oven with its incredible aroma and things are already looking better. Share this recipe with your friends and follow me on Instagram at holistic_paleo.

Have you had a listen of my Wellness Podcast. See all of the episodes at http://www.thewellnessbuzzpodcast.com or search for The Wellness Buzz Podcast on iTunes.

Rhubarb and Cinnamon Swirl Cake

The most delicious combination of flavours work together to entice the taste buds in this very moist and soft cake. My first adventure into the world of rhubarb to create this delightful gluten and dairy free recipe. It could be a snack or dessert and with a firm consistency it cuts well and can be sliced, individually wrapped then frozen to keep on hand to have as required.

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A gorgeous cake!

Step 1: One bunch rhubarb, half and orange, coconut oil/olive oil and maple syrup

The first part of making this recipe is to prepare the rhubarb. Cut the ends off one bunch of fresh rhubarb so you are left with just the pink stems and slice into small pieces. Place in a baking dish with one tablespoon of oil, the juice and zest of half an orange and one tablespoon of maple syrup (or equivalent sugar). Bake in a 180 degree celcius oven until soft.

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Step 2: 1 1/2 cups cooled cooked rhubarb, 2 cups blanched almond meal, 1/2 cup coconut flour, 4 eggs, 1/2 cup coconut oil (soft), 1 teaspoon vanilla essence, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 2 teaspoons cinnamon. Flaked almonds (for the top). 

Place all of the ingredients except the cinnamon in a mixing bowl. Stir well. Add the cinnamon and just mix through.

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Isn’t the rhubarb a stunning colour.

Pour the batter into a greased and lined tin. Smooth with a spatula. I used a heart shaped tin which is a nice touch.

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All ready for the oven.

Add flaked almonds to the top of the cake.

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Don’t skimp on the flaked almonds

Bake in a 180 degree celcius oven until firm. Remove from the oven and let cool for a while in the pan.

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The middle should be firm to touch and you can see a crack down the middle of the cake. A sign it is cooked.

Use a knife to cut around the edges and carefully turn onto a cake rack.

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When l turn the cake onto the cooling rack l take the paper off the bottom and use another rack to help carefully turn it up the right way.
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An incredible flavour just out of the oven.

I hope you enjoy this cakes much as l did. Have you had a listen of my Wellness Podcast? You can see the episodes at http://www.thewellnessbuzzpodcast.com or search for The Wellness Buzz Podcast on iTunes.

Pineapple and Cinnamon Cake

A delightful cake with a sensational flavour. Use seasonal pineapple for a natural sweetness in this gluten and dairy free cake. Eat when warm just out of the oven and taste the richness of cinnamon, the golden flaked almonds and a super soft texture from the blanched almond meal.

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Ingredients:

2 cups of finely diced fresh pineapple

2 cups blanched almond meal

1/4 cup organic coconut flour

6 free range eggs (600g or 5 eggs for 700g)

1/3 cup organic coconut oil

1/4 cup raw organic honey (or 1/3 cup rice malt syrup)

1 teaspoon organic cinnamon

1 teaspoon bicarbonate soda (Bob’s Red Mill Aluminium free or similar ).

Flaked almonds for the top of the cake

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Start with a fresh pineapple and slice the skin off.
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Remove the core and finely slice.

Place the pineapple, honey, coconut oil and cinnamon in a saucepan and gently heat. Stir well.

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A gentle heat is all that is required.

Add to the rest of the ingredients and mix.

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Add the heated ingredients to the rest of the mixture.
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Place in a greased and lined loaf pan. I grease the tin with coconut oil. Sprinkle a generous layer of flaked almonds on top.

Bake in a 180 degree celsius oven until cooked through and golden.

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Remove from the oven and use a knife to separate the cake from the tin.
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Turn onto a cooling rack.
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Carefully slice with a serrated knife.

This is a gorgeous cake eaten warm. The pineapple has a most gorgeous flavour and the cake is lovely and soft. Freeze any portions that are not eaten. I wrap them individually with cling wrap and place in an airtight container. Place in your lunch box for a delicious snack during the day.

Have you had a listen to my amazing Wellness Podcast!

2015-07-05 19.58.13

 

Chocolate, nut and seed slice

Delectable, delicious and sure to make you drool until you have the first bite then feel completely satisfied knowing that it is made with natural, wholesome and healthy ingredients. An indulgent raw and gluten free slice that can be kept in the freezer for those moments when a chocolate urge is present in what is otherwise a wholefoods based diet. Experiment with adapting the recipe to suit your own needs and likes which is part of the fun of being creative in the kitchen.

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A chocolate raw sweet treat.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup rice malt syrup (You could use honey or medjool dates as another option here if you want it sweeter).

2 tablespoons raw cacao powder

1/2 cup organic coconut oil

1/2 cup nut butter-any variety (l just made my own by processing some almonds in the food processor)

2 generous pinches of sea salt

1 1/2 cup raw activated nuts -any variety but l used almonds

1/2 cup coconut flakes

1/4 cup chia seeds

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 vanilla bean pods (scraped) or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence

1/2 cup sesame seeds

This recipe contains lots of ingredients and most can be substituted for something else or left out possibly if you don’t have it in the pantry. Experimentation is at the core of creativity so just go with what you have and have a taste along the way.

Gently melt the rice malt syrup and coconut oil and put to the side. Place the nuts into the food processor and pulse until broken into pieces. Add the rest of the dry ingredients and pulse to mix and then add the liquid. You can do this final step in the food processor or transfer to a bowl to gently mix.

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Place the mixture into a baking dish lined with baking paper and smooth with a spatula. Place into the fridge or freezer to firm up. About one hour should be adequate.
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Remove from the fridge or freezer and gently slice using a sharp knife. The size of the pieces is up to you!
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After slicing you can place it back into the freezer to firm up a bit more or transfer to an airtight container for storage.

I like to make a treat on the weekend and then keep it in the freezer to have as required. I try to just have wholefoods during the week but if l am at work l often pack a slice or cake into my lunchbox as an energy pick me up during the day. This is a lovely chocolate slice filled with dense energy, anti-oxidants, healthy fats and lots of flavour. Enjoy!

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