Bek's Chocolate Wrap Up. Healthy & Moorish Chocolate Easter Ideas From The Vault

Happy Easter everyone!

I hope it is safe, joyous and delicious for all.

For me I love Easter and the wonderful thing is you can enjoy and celebrate all things chocolate without gain 3 kilo's, truly you can! Easter, to me is about family and friends, good food, a celebartion and of course, chocolate.

But if your going to enjoy some delicious chocolate why not make it beautiful home-made your body will love and you wont have to run off for several weeks!

On the Sunshine Coast we also have the delight of the Easter weekend Kenilworth Cheese Festival complete with a kids "cheese hunt" as apposed to an egg hunt, cheese rolling ( a lot of fun!), cheese factory taste testing, wine taste testing and numerous gourmet and interesting stalls to delight. a pleasant way to spend Easter Sunday and a savoury break!

Looking for some delicious, healthy chocolate inspiration?

Bek's chocolate wrap

 Fruit and Nut Healthy Chocolates

 (gluten free, dairy free, vegan, refined sugar free)

Moorish Fruit & Nut Chocolate Slice(gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free, vegan)

Spelt, Beetroot and Walnut Chocolate Brownies
(refined sugar free)

Sour Cherry, Spelt Chocolate Biscuits(Refined Sugar Free)

Chocolate Macadamia Ice Cream

Choccyliscious Muffins ( No Added Sugar)

Moist Fudgey Chocolate Cake Gluten Free, Refined Sugar Free, Dairy Free

Zucchini & Chia Chocolate Cake

Beautiful Beetroot & Yoghurt Chocolate Muffins

Raw Energy Date, Pecan, Macadamia Chocolate SliceGluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegan, Raw, Refined Sugar Fee

Chocolate Raspberry, Goji SliceGluten Free, Dairy Free, Almost Raw, Vegan, Refined Sugar Free

Blissed Out Banana Split with Chocolate Sauce & Coconut Ice Cream(Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Grain Free, Vegan, Almost Raw, Refined Sugar Free)

And this I had to add in even though it is not my recipe, this unbelievably scrumptious creation is based on a recipe by Nutra Organics found on Natural New Age Mum, and has fast become a staple at our house for a delicious, easy to whip up in just moments treat!
Get the NNAM sensational original recipe post HERE
(plus you REALLY need to follow that blog it is beyond awesome!)
Nutra Organics Superfood Choccy Fudge My tweaked version is:

1 cup coconut oil, runny room temperature

1 cup organic rice malt syrup  (I often use less as we don't like it too sweet)

6 tablespoons cacao powder

2 heaped tablespoons Nutra Organics Super Greens Plus Reds (oh yeah all that goodness!)

2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
*1/2 teaspoon pink himalayn salt 

*1/2 cup sunflower seed butter

*1/2 cup sunflower seeds
*1/2 organic raisins
*1/2 cup walnuts
*1/2 cup whatever I feel like adding, could be dried figs, prunes, macadamia's, peppita seeds etc
Sooo yum!
I mix the coconut oil and rice malt, then add cacao and greens powder and salt, then paste, then mix all well.
pop in a lined tray and put in the fridge until set, remove, slice, return and store to fridge, putting on a high shelf otherwise your kids will slowly but surely shorten your supply when you are not looking!
If you are REALLY desperate for a choccy fix, like need right now and I "may" have done this, you can set it super fast in the freezer hehehe! 

Happy Cooking!
Eat beautiful, be active, live well, be happy
Bek XXX

RECIPE - No Added Sugar Choccyliscious Muffins

Sometimes you just want something gorgeous and CHOCOLATE right?
Well as many of my facebook followers would know this year I am really cutting back on SUGAR. But I still love to eat and cook and love baking and of course my choccy fix.
I also like to give my kids "treats" that are not full of junk, numbers and sugar.

These muffins really are super moist and melt in your mouth.

Enjoy! XX

Ingredients

• 1 cup dates (check packet to make sure no added sugar or anything nasty), soak overnight, covered or for at least 3 hours in enough water to just cover them.
• 1 cup natural yoghurt
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup Planet Organic Natural Cocoa
• 1 free range egg
• 1/4 cup Natvia Stevia powder
• 10 drops liquid stevia in chocolate
• A couple of drops pure vanilla or vanilla stevia drops
• 1 & 1/2 cups wholemeal SR flour
• 1/4 cup Walnuts
• 1 Sweet William No Added Sugar chocolate bar, chopped

Method

• Pre heat oven to 180'c.
• Line a muffin tray with muffin cases.
• In a bowl use a hand mixer to combine butter, stevia drops, stevia powder.
• Best in egg.
• Mix in the cocoa powder.
• Add in the yoghurt, make sure mixed through and then drain and add in the dates.
• Very carefully add in  the flour until just combined.
• Spoon mixture into muffin cases.
• Top each one with some walnuts and chopped chocolate.
• Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until muffins are golden on top and bounce back from your touch.
• Allow to cool on wire racks.
• Serve.

Notes

• Stevia can be swapped for honey.
• Mix chocolate and walnuts carefully through mixture before adding flour for flavour hits through the muffins as well.
• Get a big chocolate hit by serving with a mug of hot chocolate made with Planet Organic natural cocoa and stevia to sweeten.
• Freezable.
• Great for school lunches.
• Can be made gluten free with a gluten free flour, you may need to adapt recipe though, possibly include another egg etc.

Toddler Tips

• Use a miniature muffin tray to make toddler friendly sized ones.

Why not get excited about cutting back the sugar and join my facebook - sugar free for 1 week fun event! Have a sugar free recipe? Come share it with us or just come and join in the fun event! xx
https://www.facebook.com/rebecca.mugridge#!/events/137590813073302/

You can get the Stevia sweet drops, Planet Organi Cocoa Powder and Natvia Stevia Powder used in this recipe from the Maleny IGA

RECIPE - Healthy Chocolate Maca Balls

Chocolate Maca Balls

Delicious, easy to make and healthy. Have one or two a day to help satisfy the chocolate/sweet cravings and give yourself a boost of goodness too. These are also really good "mojo" boosters - if you know what I mean!!!

Ingredients

·         1 tablespoon Maca Powder

·         1 tablespoon Organic Natural Cocoa powder (I like Planet Organic) or cacao

·         1 cup almond meal

·         ¼ cup smooth pure peanut, macadamia or cashew butter (or sunflower paste for nut free)

·         ½ cup desiccated coconut

·         ¼ cup dark Agave  

·         10 drops sweet leaf  vanilla stevia (or vanilla paste)

·         ¼ cup stevia (or honey/maple syrup/agave/rice malt syrup)

·         8 prunes, chopped

·         8 dried apricots, chopped

·         1 banana, mashed

·         ¼ cup extra desiccated coconut

·         ¼ cup sesame seeds

Method

·         In a large bowl combine agave and vanilla stevia drops.

·         Mix in the banana and peanut butter. Combine well.

·         Add in the apricots, prunes, desiccated coconut, maca powder, cocoa, stevia and almond meal.

·         Mix together well.

·         Pour the extra desiccated coconut onto a plate and the sesame seeds onto a second plate.

·         Roll mixture into balls and then roll each ball into either the coconut or sesame seeds.

·         Place all balls in an air tight container and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

·         Enjoy.

Notes

·         Keep in an airtight container in the fridge.

·         For extra flavour, sweetness and a real chocolate hit add an extra 10 drops of chocolate liquid stevia as well as the vanilla.

·         Dried fruit can be varied according to personal preferences.

·         Add crushed nuts and swap smooth for crunchy Pressed Purity Peanut Butter for a different texture.

·         A beautiful satisfying sweet treat that you can enjoy for afternoon tea without the guilt!

Toddler Tips

• This is a wonderful little treat for kids that they truly will love and you know exactly what is in it.

This recipe is from my professional portfolio and was created by me for the Maleny IGA Local Product Local Recipe - recipe cards, on the Sunshine Coast.

Recipe & Food Image Photography ©RebeccaMugridge 2013

RECIPE - Beautiful Beetroot, Yoghurt & Chocolate Muffins

Beautiful Beetroot, Yoghurt  &Chocolate Muffins

Making chocolate healthier. These muffins have added goodness, no added refined sugar and are so rich in flavour one is enough so perfect for satisfying any sweet craving, espeially when you just have t have chocolate!!
The beetroot also gives them a beautiful colour and texture.

Ingredients

·         ¼ cup  cocoa

·         1/4 cup honey or Natvia stevia

·         1 & 1/2 self raising flour OR spelt flour with 2 teaspoons of baking powder or gluten free.

·         ½ cup almond meal (leave out for nut free and increase flour to 2 cups)

·         1 cup natural yoghurt

·         ¼ cup butter

·         1 large raw beetroot, peeled and finely grated

·         8 drops liquid chocolate stevia (optional)

·         2 free range eggs

·         75g dark chocolate, finely chopped (I would use green and blacks organic or sugar free sweet William)

Method

·         Line a muffin baking tray with multix cases.

·         Pre heat oven to 180`c.

·         In a bowl combine honey, agave, stevia drops and butter.

·         Add in eggs.

·         Mix in yoghurt and then almond meal followed by beetroot.

·         Sift in flour and cocoa.

·         Very gently combine.

·         Spoon into cases and top with chopped chocolate.

·         Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until springs back from touch.

Notes

·         Enjoy one with afternoon tea.

·         Swap honey for stevia powder for much less calories. You will find it in the sugar isle.

·         Swap chocolate for chopped prunes.

Toddler Tips

·         Make toddler friendly sizes using a miniature muffin tray.

Recipe and images by Rebecca Murgidge(c)RebeccaMugridge2012

Get more of my recipes:

• In my book, The Pram Diet, which is full of recipes, inspiration, expert edible gardening tips and real life ideas for mums to feel good about themselves and get healthy and happy after a baby (or many :)
• By following this blog - sign up via email on the right hand side and get new recipes each week!
• And my Facebook Page
  
  Happy Cooking!
  Rebecca xx

This recipe was created for the Maleny IGA's Local Product Local Recipe - recipe card series, showcases local Sunshine Coast Products in delicious recipes.

2 RECIPES Haloumi Bread Salad & Zucchini & Chia Seed Chocolate Cake

Thanks to some gorgeous ingredients from the Sunshine Coast's Maleny Supermarket
I got the chance to create with a stunning and award winning locally produced Buffulo Haloumi Cheese!

This cheese has been in many magazines and is on the menu of many top restaurants in Australia.

Haloumi is an exciting cheese and for those on the Sunshine Coast like me you may have seen a local, award winning buffalo haloumi featured on the cover of Hinterland Times with local cheese maker Trevor Hart and his award winning haloumi.

If you aren't on the Sunshine Coast you can of course use any good haloumi you might find at your local delicatessen or supermarket.

If it is a cheese you already love or maybe one you have never tried before this recipe really makes it shine!

This is my delicious Zesty Salad with fried Haloumi and Olive Oil Topasted SourDough Bread Croutons.

An easy and very tasty dinner or lunch.

Ingredients:

• 200 g Haloumi, sliced 1cm thick
• 2 slices organic sourdough bread, slice into 1cm x 3 cm pieces
• Assorted salad greens, (include some bitter greens, baby spinach leaves, finely shredded kale, fresh herbs)
• 1 medium red onion, slices thinly into circles
• 1 small cucumber, sliced
• 2 really ripe tomatoes, chopped into big pieces
• ½ lemon, juiced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• Black pepper to taste
• Extra olive oil for the croutons
• paper towel to drain the haloumi

Method

• In a large bowl combine bread, tomato, cucumber, onion and salad greens
• In a small dish mix together olive oil, vinegar and lemon juice, taste and adjust quanities until you get just the right flavour for your palate. (add some fresh chili if desired)
• Heat a little oil in a fry pan on a medium low heat. (I use Neoflam cookware.)
  Lightly fry the sourdough pieces with olive oil until nice and golden on each side.
  Drain on paper towel and set aside.
• Gently fry the Haloumi briefly until nice and golden each side.
  Drain haloumi on paper towel.
• Place salad on to a large serving dish.
• Arrange Haloumi cheese and croutons on top.
• Season with cracked pepper, a little lemon juice and a tiny amount of good olive oil
• Serve

Notes

• This is a great centre table dish you can all share from making it great for entertaining
• This would be a lovely big salad to serve at a BBQ or alongside some freshly grilled fish or as part of a smorgasbord at a dinner party.
• Don’t season with salt as the cheese is already salty.

Toddler/Prep/Kindy Tips

• This is a salty cheese so I would serve theirs with lots of fresh salad and a fruit salad for dessert.
• Make their own mini dish by serving small pieces of the Haloumi with an assortment of tomatoes, snow peas, cucumber, sprouts, celery and carrots

Recipe and imagery (c) rebeccamugridge2012