Tag Archives: cacao

Mole Roasted Cauliflower & Sweet Potatoes

04 Friday May 2012

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Mole Roasted Cauliflower and Sweet Potatoes

Continuing the countdown to Cinco de Mayo, I had Gazpacho on my mind for today. It’s one of my favorite dishes, very refreshing and satisfying, but you really want something paired with it to make a full dinner.

There was a half head of cauliflower in my fridge that needed using, so I went on a recipe hunt and was happy to find this mole cauliflower recipe shared in 2010 by The Kitchen Operas (which was adapted from one shared by Gluten-Free Girl in 2005…so my evolution is at least the third generation). True mole is very labor intensive to make, so I’m excited to have a quick version of that wonderful flavor profile to whip up any night of the week.

Mole Roasted Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Ingredients

Ingredients

  • Half head of cauliflower, cut into medium florets
  • 1 medium sweet potato, cut into medium chunks
  • 1 tbsp cacao powder
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds
  • .5 tsp sea salt or garlic salt (I used Libertine’s Dynamic Duo)
  • .25 cups grape seed oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°
  2. Combine all the dry ingredients and mix into the oil
  3. Pour over cauliflower and sweet potato in a large bowl and stir until the vegetables are coated
  4. Spread evenly in a large roasting pan or cooking sheet lined with tin foil
  5. Roast for 20 to 30 minutes, flipping at least once, until they are cooked to your liking

Note on the spiciness: I would call the heat level on this “medium-hot” so adjust the red pepper flakes to your preference – although the gazpacho was the perfect balance for this little kick this had.

If you pick up this recipe and move it forward again, please let me know!

Cacao Banana Pancakes

08 Sunday Apr 2012

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Cacao Banana Pancakes

Ah, raw cacao powder. Adding this antioxidant-rich and nutrient-dense super food into regular pancakes takes an average weekend breakfast to fancy and healthy new heights. Put some banana slices in there too and people will wonder what you’re celebrating. Or up to. The answer, of course, is awesomeness.

Cacao Banana Pancake Ingredients

Ingredients

  • .5 cups white flour
  • .25 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • .5 tsp salt
  • 4 tsp sugar
  • 3 tbsp raw cacao powder
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp grape seed oil + more for pan
  • 1 egg
  • 1 large or 2 small bananas, sliced into thin rounds

Instructions

  1. Mix together all the dry ingredients.
  2. Mix together all the wet ingredients and beat until egg is consistent.
  3. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry until fully incorporated.
  4. Heat a pan over medium and spread a thin coat of oil on the bottom.
  5. Spoon a half cup or less of batter into pan and top with several banana slices.
  6. Flip when bubbles dot the top. The second side will cook in a fraction of the time.
  7. Serve immediately, banana-side up, with natural maple syrup if you like.

Cacao Banana Pancake with Extra Bananas

This recipe is not very sweet – best for dark chocolate lovers. Easy to adjust for any palate: increase the sugar by one or two teaspoons and/or decrease the cacao powder by same.

Super Food Chocolate Shake

17 Friday Feb 2012

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Dark chocolate is great for you – it’s high in antioxidants, can reduce blood pressure, improve circulation and elevate mood. Plus, let’s be honest, you crave it. By using raw cacao powder in this delicious vegan shake, you get all the satisfaction and benefits of this incredible super food without the processing or additives.

I use oat milk instead of soy milk because I’m concerned about the negative impacts of too much soy on the thyroid. I love tofu so I’m saving my soy intake for that. Almond, rice and hemp milk are great options too.

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In a blender:

  • 1 Banana
  • 4 tsps Cacao Powder
  • 3 scoops Stevia (white on cacao in photo, use scoop in package)
  • ¾ cups Oat Milk
  • 5-8 Ice Cubes

Customize your shake:

Matcha Powder: Add 1 tsp or less.
Matcha (photographed with ingredients above) is finely-ground green tea with a brilliant color. It’s used in the Japanese tea ceremony as well as cooking – if you’ve seen green tea flavored ice cream, you’ve seen matcha. Because you consume the entire tea leaf, matcha offers the health benefits of green tea in a much more potent form. But if you’re sensitive to caffeine, you might avoid this in the evening.

Raw Almonds: Add about 12 nuts.
A great way to make the shake a bit more satiating, almonds are a good source of Vitamin E and have a moderately anti-inflammatory effect.

Acai Powder: Add 1 tsp plus.
Rich in antioxidants, this will add some berry flavor but very little sweetness to your shake. Acai berries were the “it” food a few years ago and now we’re seeing a backlash to some of the more extreme claims such as miraculous weight loss. Still, as a potent red berry they have plenty of good stuff for you.

Maca Powder: Add 1 tsp.
This plant thrives in the Andes where few other plants can grow. It will add a slight malty flavor to your shake. Maca’s unique nutritional profile is optimal for supporting the endocrine system – in fact, Maca has a reputation for improving libido and fertility. My advice is think twice about adding this to your diet if you take birth control.

Cinnamon: Add .5 tsp.
If you like cinnamon, it tastes great in this shake and happens to have a whole host of health benefits including anti-inflammatory properties, lowering your bad LDL cholesterol, and helping to regulate blood sugar.