Monthly Archives: March 2017

Chocolate Fudge Grain Free Brownies

Brownies that are very chocolatey, fudgy and grain free is possible! I kept coming back and experimenting with this recipe over the past several months. Initially they were more cakey than fudgy, and my favorite kind of brownie is fudgy. It is finally blog worthy! Maple syrup is the perfect addition for a chocolate dessert. It compliments the chocolate and is a natural sweetener. There is also some cooled coffee in the recipe to amp it up even further. If you are a baker, you will probably know that coffee makes chocolate taste more chocolatey. Finally, for the ultimate moist fudge flavor, I added 2 ounces of an organic 85% Dark Chocolate Bar. I would very happily make these brownies for my grain loving friends and family with confidence! Aren’t they pretty?

Chocolate Fudge Grain Free Brownies

To make this batch of brownies you will use an 8″ x 8″ square pan. It makes twelve generous brownies or nine jumbo ones.

Chocolate Fudge Grain Free Brownies

Chocolate Fudge Grain Free Brownies

Preheat your oven to 350º degrees. Line a 8″ x 8″ square baking pan with parchment paper.

Ingredients:

3 Eggs

1/2 Cup of Medjool Dates (soaked in warm water for 5 minutes then pitted)

1/3 Cup of Unsweetened Applesauce

1/4 Cup of Maple Syrup

1/4 Cup of Olive Oil

1/4 Cup of Raw Cacao Powder

1/4 Cup of Brewed Coffee (cold)

3 Tablespoons of Coconut Flour

2 ounces of Dark Chocolate, finely chopped (I used organic 85% Alter Eco Dark Blackout Bar here)

2 Teaspoons of Vanilla Extract

1/2 Teaspoon of Sea Salt

1/2 Teaspoon of Baking Soda

Directions: Pulse the dates and eggs in a food processor, then blend until creamy, about one minute.

Add the remaining ingredients, except the 2 oz. of chocolate bar. Blend thoroughly, scraping down the sides of the processor twice. Add the 2 ounces of chopped chocolate and pulse a few times until evenly distributed. You want little pockets of chocolate! Scrape the batter into the prepared square pan. Let sit for ten minutes. Then pop the pan into your preheated oven, and bake for 17 to 20 minutes, until just baked. When you insert a toothpick into the center of the brownies you should have moist crumbs on the toothpick. Don’t over bake.

Cool completely, then slice. Viola! Moist and Fudgy Brownies!

Chocolate Fudge Grain Free Brownies

These Chocolate Fudge Grain Free Brownies are Fudgie Perfection! Gluten Free, Nut Free, Dairy Free!

Chocolate Fudge Grain Free Brownies

Tuna, Avocado Grain Free Wraps with Gremolata Dip and Truffle Aioli

I had to guard these spirals when I was testing the recipe in order to have a chance to photograph them for you all! It was a Saturday morning, and the kids and hubby were home, and I didn’t dare turn my back. 🙂 I have been watching my baby Grandsons during the week, so I develop recipes mostly on Saturdays these days.

Tuna and Avocado Grain Free Wraps with Gremolata and Truffle Aioli Dipping Sauce

The two dips for these delectable spirals stand alone, so you could easily double the recipes to have more sauces on hand. I have been eating gremolata on everything savory lately. I love the salty lemon flavor with the bright taste of parsley. The two dips eaten with the spirals makes them very fun to eat! Who doesn’t love a dip, let alone two?

Tuna and Avocado Wraps with Gremolata and Truffle Aioli Dipping Sauce

You can eat these highly nutritious wraps as soon as you assemble them, or wrap them up after rolling, and refrigerate them until you are ready to eat! Take them out of the refrigerator and slice the wraps right before you want to have them. They are a little easier to slice when cold, delicious right away as well!

Tuna Avocado Egg Wraps

Tuna, Avocado Egg Spirals

Ingredients: For each Egg Wrap you will need:

3 Pastured Eggs

1 Tablespoon of Water

1/8 Teaspoon of Salt

Pinch of Black Pepper

1 1/2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil

Whisk the eggs, water, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. In a 14 inch non-stick skillet, add the olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the egg mixture, and swirl the pan to spread the egg evenly. Cook for a few minutes until the middle is starting to set and the edges are no longer runny. With a large rubber spatula, gently flip the egg wrap, and cook about 30 seconds on the other side. Slide out of the pan onto a cutting board.

Tuna Filling (this is enough for two egg wraps, if you want to make one wrap, half the recipe)

Ingredients:

2 Cans of Wild Albacore Tuna (I buy this kind that is mercury tested)

1/2 Cup of Mayo (I use Avocado Oil Mayo here)

1/4 Cup of Diced Dill Pickle

1/2 Teaspoon of Sea Salt

1/4 Teaspoon of Black Pepper

1 Ripe Avocado (diced) This does not go in the filling. It is used when assembling the spiral.

Directions: Mix the tuna filling together.

Gremolata Dip

Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons of Garlic Infused Olive Oil (or 3 Tablespoons of Olive Oil and a Clove of Minced Garlic)

Zest of 1 Organic Lemon

2 Teaspoons of Dried Parsley

1/2 Teaspoon of Sea Salt

Directions: Whisk the ingredients together.

Truffle Aioli

Ingredients:

1/4 Cup of Mayo (my favorite is healthy avocado oil mayo here)

1 Tablespoon of Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice

1 Tablespoon of Garlic Infused Olive Oil

1/8 Teaspoon of Truffle Salt (here)

1/8 Teaspoon of Black Pepper

Directions: Whisk all the ingredients together. Store refrigerated.

Now to Assemble the Spirals:

Lay out the egg wraps, spread them with half the tuna filling each. Sprinkle each wrap with half of the diced avocado. Roll them up snuggly, and then slice into 1 1/2 inch slices with a bread knife. Serve with the sauces.

Serves 2 to 4 people depending on if you have a Papa Bear or a Baby Bear appetite!

Three Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

Dates are a great addition to your diet! I like to throw a couple in a smoothie to add natural sweetness in whole food form or use them to make energy bites with things like nuts and berries in them. These balls are made up of raw cacao, peanut butter (or a nut or seed butter of your choice) and dates. They are healthy and satisfying! I like to pop in these super quick and easy sweet treats when I have a craving for something chewy and chocolate. The raw cacao is loaded with antioxidants and magnesium and is a natural mood elevator. Dates are full of fiber, vitamins and essential minerals and are a whole food, natural sweetener eaten for centuries. The fat in the peanut butter or nut butter of your choice is satiating, and nuts contain protein. Use a peanut butter or nut butter with no added sugar, just salt.

Three Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls – Yummy!

Three Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups of Soft Medjool Dates (pits removed, if they are not soft between your fingers, soak them for five minutes in warm water)

1/3 Cup plus 2 Tablespoons of Raw Cacao Powder (like this)

6 Tablespoons of Peanut Butter (no sugar added)

Directions: Place the dates in a food processor with a blade attachment, and puree. Add in 1/3 Cup of Raw Cacao Powder and the Peanut Butter or nut butter. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides of the processor as needed with a rubber spatula. Place the remaining two tablespoons of Raw Cacao Powder in a bowl. With a tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the mixture into balls, roll them between your hands to form a round globe, and roll in cocoa powder. The balls can be stored at room temperature, in the refrigerator, or freezer depending on your preference. Pop these in when you need a healthy chocolate fix or a energy boost!