Lately, I have been experimenting with an easy replacement for the chocolate spread. I am a big fan of Nutella, but unfourthantly those days are gone, where I could eat Nutella 3 times a day without seeing or feeling any difference in my body. Not only is it bad for the body with all the empty calories and fast carbs, but it is also bad for our blood sugar to eat Nutella. I am trying to make most of my unhealthy food, with natural sugars from plants, like bananas, dates, honey, or sometimes stevia. This 3 ingredient recipe requires no oven or heating. It is basically a raw food chocolate spread, made with no sugar, and only plant-based, natural ingredients.
What you need
Kidney beans - drained and cleaned (175g drained)
7 medium-sized dates
5 topped tbs raw cacao
1,5-2 dl water
What you do
Start with slicing the dates, and make sure to remove the stones. Have the chopped dates over in a large bowl. Drain the kidney beans, and clean them.
Use a hand mixer, or a food processor and mix everything together until a smooth texture. add the cacao powder and the water little by a little while mixing together. Some prefer less water, and others prefer more. Depending on how thick or think you like your chocolate spread. In the end, add some salt, and for those who prefer, add some oil for some more oily texture.
How to use
I love to use the spread on rice crackers, on waffles, or on pancakes. You can also use the spread just as a chocolate cream dessert, or as a cake or cupcake topping.
I keep my chocolate spread in reusable glass and keep it in the fridge. Mine has lasted for at least a week now and still tastes good!
I hope you got inspired to try something new. I wish you all a happy Friday and happy Constitution day on Sunday to those who are celebrating in Norway!
Best, Eline S.
banana / peanut butter bread - don't throw your old bananas to waste!
I hope you all are well and that you are staying positive and productive during these different and difficult times. I have been experimenting with a new banana bread recipe, and the result turned out to be great! Super easy, and no fancy ingredients needed. My friends always make fun of me, because I always save the leftovers, even for the smallest portions of food, and I have zero shame asking for a doggy bag. Better for us, and better for the environment!
What you need
baking sheet
2 yellow bananas
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon honey
80 grams oats
50 grams of peanut butter
seeds/ nuts/ chocolate chip
What you do
Start with heating up the oven to 180 degrees Celcius/ 356 degrees Fahrenheit.
Use a hand mixer, and mix together the bananas, eggs, honey and the peanut butter.
Mix together all the dry ingredients in a different bowl. Add the dry ingredients little by little to the banana mixture as you stir. Make sure to get rid of any bumps in the mixture.
Have a baking sheet over a load pan and add the mixture. In the end, add some seeds, nuts, berries, or chocolate chips as you prefer. Or keep it plain and simple.
Bake in the oven for 25-35 minutes, deepening on your oven. I recommend checking regularly after 25 minutes as every oven is different. Leave the bread on a shake for about 10 minutes before you slice it into thick pieces. Serve it alone, or with some berry jam. The bread lasts for about a week if you keep it in a plastic bag in your fridge.
I hope you got inspired to check out this recipe next time you are about to throw out your old bananas.
Please tag me #foodbyelines, if you happen to try out any of my recipes and like the results. I would love to see how your baking turns out!
Best, Eline S.